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d by Google
ini*'"o
HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY
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THE
TEMPLE
CLASSICS
THE LEGEND-
OF
SAINT FRANCIS
BTTHB
THREE
COMPANIONS
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CONTENTS
PAGB
Thk Lbttbr or thb Thbbe Companions
TO TBS MiNISTBR-GeNXKAL OF THE
Brothbbs Minob as concerning thb
Lbgbnd op S. Francis ... 5
Chapter I. Of his birth, and vanities, and way-
wardness, and his prodigal ways, and
how from these he came unto largesse,
and charity toward the poor 8
Chapter II. How he was made prisoner at
Perugia, and of two visions that he had
when desiring to become a knight I2
Chapter III. How the Lord at first visited his
heart with wondrous sweetness, m virtue
whereof he began to make profitable pro-
gress by contempt of himself, and of all
vanities, as well as by prayer, and alms-
giving, and love of poverty . . 17
Chapter IV. How he began through the lepers
to conquer himself, and to feel pleasure
in those things that aforetime had been
bitter unto him . . . .23
Chapter V. Of the first speech of the Crucified
unto him, and how thenceforth he did
bear in his heart the Passion of Christ
until his death • . . .27
Chapter VI. How at first he fled from the
persecution of his father and kindred,
tarrying with the priest of S. Damian,
in at whose window he had thrown the
money ..... 32
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2 CONTENTS
Chapter VII. Of his exceeding great toil and
pains in repairing the Church of S.
Damian, and how he began to conquer
himself by going for alms
Chapter VIII. How by hearing and under-
standing the monitions of Christ in the
Gospel, he did at once change his outer
garb, and did put on a new garb of per-
fection both within and without
Chapter IX. Of the manner of the vocation of
Brother Silvester, and of the vision that
he had before entering the Order
Chapter X. How he foretold unto his six com-
panions all things that should come upon
them as they went through the world .
Chapter XI. Of the reception of other four
brethren, and of the most glowing love
that the first brethren had toward one
another, and of their zeal for work, and
for prayer, and of their perfect obedience
Chapter XII. How the Blessed Francis with
eleven companions went unto the Curia
of the Pope, that he might notify unto
him his purpose » and make be confirmed
the Rule that he had written .
Chapter XIII. Of the efficacy of his preaching,
and of the first place that he had, and
how the brethren abode therein, and in
what sort they departed thence .
Chapter XIV. Of the Chapter that was held
twice a year in the place of S. Mary of
the Little Portion . . . tS
Chapter XV. Of the death of the lord John,
their first Protector, and how the lord
Ugolino, Bishop of Ostia, was taken as
Father and Protector of the Order
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CONTENTS 3
I'AGK
Chapter XVI. Of the election of the first
Ministers, and how they were sent forth
into the world . . . .98
Chaptik XVII. Of the most holy dying of the
Blessed Francis, and how two years
earlier he had received in his body the
Stigmata of the Lord Jesus . 105
Chaptek XVIII. Of the canonisation of the
most blessed Father . .109
Chaptik XIX. Of the granting of the Indul-
gence of S. Mary of the Little Portion . 113
Epilogue . . . 116
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» ..*< i " K*«.:i!j. --_
;
The Legend of S. Francis
I. These be certain things written by Concern-
Three Companions of the Blessed Francis '^ ^\
concerning his life and his conversation "'*°^^*
in the worldly state, and of his marvellous
and perfect conversion. And concern-
ing the perfection of the first beginning
and founding of the Order, in himself and
in the first brethren.
Letter of the Three Companions.
To the reverend Father in Christ,
Brother Crescentius, by the grace of God
Minister-General, Brother Leo, Brother
Rufino, and Brother Angelo, formerly
companions, albeit unworthy, of the most
blessed Father Francis, due reverence and
derotion in the Lord.
Since the brethren are bound by com-
'nd of the Chapter-General last past and
r own to bring before your Father-
od such tokens and miracles of the most
ssed Father Francis as can be known or
scovered, — it seemed good unto us who,
5
I
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6 THE LEGEND OF
The first albeit unworthy, held converse with him
Brethren. fQ|. some long time, to communicate
truth guiding us, unto Your Holiness
few of the manv things that he wrough
that we saw with our own eyes, or wer
able to learn through other holy brethrei
and chiefly through Brother Philip, t\
Visitor of the Poor Ladies, Brother Ilium
nato de Arce, Brother Masseo of Mari{
nano. Brother John, the companion oftlr
venerable Father Brother Giles, (wh
heard most of these things from the sam
holy Brother Giles), and from Brothc
Bernard of sacred memory, the fin
companion of the Blessed Francis ; nol
content only to relate miracles, whid
do not constitute holiness, but do orJ
make it manifest, but we desire furth
to show forth the tokens of his h(
conversation, and the object of his h
purpose to the praise and glory of G(
Most High, and our most holy Fad
aforesaid, and to the edification of th
that desire to follow his footst<
Which things we nevertheless write
after the manner of a Legend, see
that for a long time have Legends b(
put together of his life, and of t
miracles that God wrought through h
But as it were from a pleasant meada
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a FRANCIS 7
vc pluck certain flowers that in our The
udgment are fairer than the rest, notnuumerof
bllowing a continuous historv, but leav- ^^^y
ing out much that would follow in due
sequence, which hath been set in place
in the Legends aforesaid in discourse
both truthftil and easy to understand.
Among the which you may make these
few things that we have written to be
inserted, if your discretion shall see fit.
For we believe that, had these things
been known unto those venerable men
that put together the said Legends, they
would by no means have passed them by,
but would rather have eloquently related
ithem for their own sake.
May Your Fatherhood ever be strong
and whole in Our Lord Jesus Christ, in
Whom we humbly and faithfully
commend imto Your Holiness ourselves
your faithful sons. Given in the place
Greccio, the eleventh day of August, in
(the year of Our Lord 1246,
4!
I
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CHAPTER I
Of his birthyand vanities^ and wayward-
nesSy and his prodigal ways^ and how
from these he came unto largesse^ anc
charity toward the poor.
S. 2. Francis, born in the city of Assist
Francis which lieth in the confines of the Vale
yoi^^ of Spoleto, was at first named John hy
his mother. Then whenas his father, in
whose absence he had been born, returned
from France, he was afterward named
Francis. After he was grown up, and
had become of a subtle wit, he did
practise the art of his father, that is, trade.
But in far other wise, for he was a
merrier man than was his father, and
more generous, given unto jests and
songs, going round the city of Assisi day
and night in company with his h'ki
most free-handed in spending ; insomuc|b
as that he spent all his havings and hiis
profits in banquets and other matters|
Wherefore ofttimes was he rebuked
his parents, who told him he ran into s<
great expenses on himself and on other^
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 9
bat he seemed to be no son of theirs. His
«t rather of some mighty prince. Jjf^
Nevertheless, for that his parents were courtesy,
ich, and loved him most tenderly, they
»ore with him in such matters, not
leing minded to thwart him. Nay, his
nother, when a talk arose among the
leighbours as touching his prodigal ways,
nade answer : " What think ye of my
on ? He shall yet be the son of God
>y grace." But he himself was not only
ree-handed, or rather prodigal, in these
done, but even in his clothes he was
>eyond measure sumptuous, using stufFs
nore costly than it beseemed him to
xrear. So- wayward was his fancy that
It times on the same coat he would
:ause a right costly cloth to be matched
mth one of the meanest.
3. Yet he was as though by nature
:ourteous, in manner and word after the
purpose of his heart, never speaking a
harmful or shameful word unto any.
Nay, indeed, though he were so gay and
veanton a youth, yet of set purpose would
|He make no reply unto them that said
jhamefiil things unto him. And hence
his hme so spread abroad through-
the whole neighbourhood that it was
by many who knew him that he
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10 THE LEGEND OF
He re- would do something great. By thi
P^^^l^ which steps of godliness he did progrel
unto such grace that he would say il
converse with himself: "Seeing that
thou art bountiful and courteous toward
men, from whom thou receivest naught
save a passing and empty favour, it is
just that thou shouldst be courteous and
bountiful toward Grod, Who is Himself
most bountiful in rewarding His poor.
Wherefore thenceforward did he look
with goodwill upon the poor, bestowing
alms upon them abundantly. And albeit
he were merchant, yet was he a most
prodigal dispenser of this world's riches.
One day, when he was standing in the
warehouse wherein he sold goods, and
was intent on business of the kind, a
certain poor man came unto him asking
an alms for the love of God ; howbeit, he
was held back by the covetousness of
wealth, and the cares of merchandise,
and denied him the alms. But forthv nth,
being looked upon by the divine gihxc,
he did rebuke himself of great chur
ness, saying : ** Had this poor man ai
thee aught in the name of a great Co^
or Baron, assuredly thou wouldst h|
given him what he had asked. Hi
much more then oughtest thou to h[
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S. FRANCIS
one It for the King of Kings and Lord for alms
f all ? " By reason whereof he thence- denied.
3rth set it before himself in his heart
lever again to deny aught asked in the
lame of so great a Lord.
.i
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CHAPTER II
How he was made prisoner at Perugia ^ and
of two visions that he had when desir-
ing to become a knight.
Captiye 4. On a time when war was being
Peruei^ waged between Perugia and Assisi,
Francis was taken prisoner with many
of his fellow-citizens and held in captivity
with them at Perugia. Yet for that he
was a noble in his manners, he was im-
prisoned along with the. knights. Now
on a day his fellow-prisoners were sad,
but he, being by nature joyous and
merry, appeared not to be sad, but
even in some sort to jest. Wherefore
one of his companions rebuked him,
saying it was like a madman to rejoice
seeing that he were set in prison.
Unto whom Francis made ansiwer
with a loud voice: "What think ^,
of me ? I shall be worshipped by
whole world." And when one of
knights with whom he was conjoi
had done an injury unto one of his fell
prisoners, and on this account all the r(
wished to hold aloof from him, Frar
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 13
alone did not refuse to company with The
him, and furthermore exhorted the rest''^^"
to do the same. Now when the year palace,
was ended and peace made once more
between the cities aforesaid, Francis with
his fellow-prisoners returned unto Assisi.
5. Then a few years later a certain
noble of the city of Assisi provided him-
self with warlike gear to go into Apulia
to increase his profit of money or renown.
Upon hearing this, Francis did aspire to
go with him, and to be made knight by
a certain Coimt, Gentile by name ;
wherefore he made ready stufis as costly
as he could, poorer in riches than his
fellow - citizen, but more profuse in
largesse. One night then, when he had
given all his thoughts toward bringing
this to pass, and was fevered with desire
for making the journey, he was visited by
the Lord, Who draweth him as one eager
for glory to the pinnacle of glory by a
vision, and uplifteth him. For while
sleeping that night one appeared unto
him, c^ling him by name, and leading
him unto the palace of a fair bride, very
pleasant, and full of knightly armour, to
wi^p glittering shields, and other apparel
hanging on the wall as it were waiting
foi| knights to accoutre them therewithal.
i
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14 THE LEGEND OF
A pre- And while he, rejoicing greatly, im
sweof yg}]gj silently within himself what t]
"might be, he asked whose were the
arms flashing with such splendour a
this so pleasant palace ? And answer v
made him that the palace and all thiiu
therein were his own and his knighd
And thus awakening, with joyous heai
he rose early, thinking in worldly wise,-
as do they that have not yet fully taste
of the Spirit of God, — that here he shoul
lord it right royally, and deeming tb
vision a presage of great good fortune, hi
bethinketh him of setting forth straight
way on his journey into Apulia, that W
might be made knight of the Count afore-
said. And so much gayer than his wont
did he seem that many wondered thereat,
and asked whence had he such joy, unt(
whom he would reply : "I know that I
shall be a great prince."
6. A certain foretokening of so great
courtliness and nobility had betided Ci
the day immediately preceding the vision
aforesaid which is thought to have been
in no small measure the occasion of the
vision itself. For on that day he hi
given unto a poor knight all his clothes,
that he had had newly made for hims^
curiously fashioned and costly. Wta
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S. FRANCIS IS
lerefore he had gone unto Spoleto to set A
>rth on his journey and go into Apulia, ?^?°^
e began to ponder somewhat. Yet none
tie less anxious about his journey, when
e had yielded unto sleep, he heard while
lalf asleep one asking him whither he
esired to proceed ? And when Francis
tad revealed his whole purpose, he added :
' Which can do the better for thee, the
ord, or the servant?" And when he
Jiswered **the lord," that other said
gain unto him : '* Wherefore then dost
hou leave the lord for the servant, and a
ich lord for a poor ? " And Francis
aid : "Lord, what wouldst Thou have me
odo?" "Return," saith He, "unto
hine own country, and it shall be told
into thee what thou shalt do, for the
vision that thou hast seen behoveth thee
:o understand in other wise." Then,
wdking^ he began earnestly to ponder
this vision. And just as in the first
mion he had been as it were quite
carried out of himself for his great joy,
coveting worldly good fortune, so in
thii vision he withdrew within himself
entirely, wondering at its might, and
meditating so earnestly that he could
sWp no more that night. And so, at
cai y morn, he returned toward Assisi in
J
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i6 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
. He haste and with gladness and joy excef
iSrSfrd^ ing, awaiting the will of the Lord, W
will, had shewn him this thing, and to be t^
concerning his salvation from Hiixisc
Changed in his mind is he now, ^n
refusing to go into Apulia, seeketh !
mould himself unto the Divine will
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CHAPTER III
low the Lard at first visited his heart with
^vondrous sweetness^ in virtue whereof
he began to make profitable progress by
contempt of himself^ and of all vanities^
as well as by prayer^ and almsgivings
and love of poverty.
7, Now not many days after that he Master
^as returned unto Assisi, he was chosen «g*^2a.
»ne evening by his comrades as their
oaster of the revels to spend the money
:oUected from the company after his own
ancy. So then he made a sumptuous
Kinquet be made ready^ as he had oft-
imes done afore. And when they
rame forth of the house, and his com-
'ades together went before him, going
Jirough the city singing while he carried
I wand in his hand as their master, — he
Mras walking a little behind them, not
unging, but meditating very earnestly.
And lo 1 on a sudden he is visited of the
I^ord, and his heart is filled with such
weetness as that he can neither speak
for move, nor is he able to feel and hear
B 17
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i8 THE LEGEND OF
He aught save that sweetness only, wh
*^"°^^ did so estrange him from carnal S(
Bride. ^^^^ — ^ ^^ himself afterward said —
he then been pricked as with knives
over at once, he could not have mo^
from the spot. But when his comnu
looked back, and saw him thus far
from them, they returned unto him
fear, staring upon him as one alrea
changed into another man. And th
questioned him, saying : ** Whereon
thou thinking, that thou camest
after us? Perchance thou wast thin
ing of taking a wife ? '* To whom
replied with a loud voice : " Truly ha
ye spolcen, for that I thought of takii
unto me a bride nobler and richer ai
fairer than ever ye have seen." An
they mocked at him. But this he sa
not of himself, but inspired of God, f(
the bride herself was true Religion, who
he took unto him, nobler, richer an
fairer than others in her poverty. ]
8. Thus from that hour began he to
wax worthless in his own eyes, and to
despise those things he had formerly
loved, albeit not utterly so as yet, for not
yet was he wholly freed from the vanity
of the world. Nevertheless, withdraw-
ing himself little by little from the
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S. FRANCIS 19
timult of the world, he made it his study His
» treasure up Jesus Christ in his inner prayer
nan, and, hiding from the eyes o(^^^
nockers the pearl that he would fein
my at the price of selling his all, he
rent ofttimes, and as it were in secret,
laily unto prayer, being urged thereto by
he foretaste of that sweetness that had
isited him more and more often, and did
rompel him to come from the streets and
>ther public places, unto prayer. Albeit
le had long time done good unto the
)oor, vet from this time forth he
letermmed yet more firmly in his heart
lever again to deny alms unto any poor
nan that did ask it for the love of God,
)ut to give alms more willingly and
x>untifuily than had been his wont.
iVhenever therefore any poor man asked of
lim an alms out of doors, he would supply
lim with money, if he could ; had he no
eady money, he would give him his cap
)r girdle rather than send the poor man
tmpty away. And if it were that he
lad naught of this kind, he would go
into some hidden place, and strip off his
hirt, and send the poor man thither that
le might take it unto himself, for the
ake of God. He also would buy vessels
ppertaining unto the adornment of
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20 THE LEGEND OF
His Churches, and would send them ovi
^^^^i^ all secrecy unto poor priests.
leuJ 9* And once when, in his fathd
absence, he was abiding in the houfl
although only his mother and he we
eating in the house, he covered the tab
with loaves, as though he were preparii^
for the whole household, and when h
mother asked wherefore he placed i
much bread on the table, he made answ<
that he did it as alms to be given unl
the poor, for that he was minded to git
alms unto every man that did ask it fi
Grod's sake. But his mother, loving him]
beyond her other sons, bore with him in
such things, taking note of what he did,
and marvelling greatly thereat in hei
heart. For, just as he bad been wont to
set his heart on going after his comrades,
when he was invited by them, and had so
greatly delighted in their fellowship that|
ofttimes he would rise from table having
eaten but little, leaving his parents sore
troubled by reason of so untimely a
departure, — even so now his heart was
set entirely on seeing or hearing poor
folk unto whom he might give dms.
10. So changed then was he by Divine
grace, albeit still in the secular habit,
that he desired to be in some city where ^
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S. FRANCIS 21
t might, as one unknown, strip off his At S.^
vn clothes, and exchange them for those P*^*"'®
1. ^, ? , . , ^ in Rome,
some beggar, so that he might wear
s instead and make trial of himself by
king alms for the love of God. Now
chanced that at that time he had gone
nto Rome on a pilgrimage. And
itering into the Church of S. Peter, he
leditated on the offerings of certain folk,
teing that they were small, and spake
'ithin himself: "Since the Prince of
fte Apostles should of right be magnifi-
ently honoured, why do these folk make
ach sorry offerings in the Church
rherein his body rests ? " And so in
;reat fervency he put his hand into his
urse and drew it forth full of money,
nd flung it through the grating of the
Itar with such a crash that all they who
eere standing by did marvel greatly at
o splendid an oblation. Then going
brth in front of the doors of the Church,
nrhere many beggars were gathered to
isk alms, he secretly makes shift to
Jorrow the rags of one among the
leediest and dons them, laying aside his
>wn. Then, standing on the Church
Jteps with the other beggars, he asked an
alms in French, for he loved to speak the
French tongue, albeit he spake it not
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82 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
Prayer aright. Thereafter, putting off the s
'dan^^ rags, and taking again his own clothe
*^ *^ he returned unto Assisi, and began t
pray the Lord to direct his way. For li
revealed unto none his secret, nor i
counsel of any in this matter, save on^
of God, Who had begun to direct la
way, and at times of the Bishop of Assisi
For at that time was no true Poverty t
be found among any, and her it was tha
he desired above all things of this worli
being minded in her to live, yea, and t
die.
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CHAPTER IV
How he began through the lepers to conquer
himself y and to feel pleasure in those
things that aforetime had been bitter
unto him.
II. Now when on a day he was pray- By the
ing fervently unto the Lord,'answer was lord's
made unto him : " Francis, all those 5^^^°*"
things that thou hast loved after the
flesh, and hast desired to have, thou must
needs despise and hate, if thou wouldst
do My will, and after that thou shalt
have begun to do this the things that
aforetime seemed sweet unto thee and
delightsome shall be unbearable unto thee
and bitter, and from those that afore-
time thou didst loathe thou shalt drink
great sweetness and delight immeasured."
Rejoicing, therefore, at these words, and
consoled in the Lord, whenas he had
ridden nigh unto Assisi, he met one that
was a leper. And for that he had been
wont greatly to loathe lepers, he did
violence unto himself, and dismounted
from his horse, and gave him money,
23
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24 THE LEGEND OP
he kissing his hand. And receiving from
'eS^^c ^^"^ ^^^ ^^^^ °^ peace, he remounted his
lepers, horse, and continued his journej.
Thenceforth began he more and more
to despise himself, until by the grace of
God he had attained unto perfect mastery
over himself.
A few days later, he took much
money, and went unto the spital of the
lepers, and, gathering all together, did
give unto each an alms, kissing his hand.
Then as he departed, in very truth that
which had aforetime been bitter unto
him, to wit, the sight and touch of lepers,
was now changed into sweetness. For,
as he confessed, the sight of lepers had
been so grievous unto him that he had
been minded to avoid not only seeing
them, but even going nigh their dwell-
ings. And if at any time he chanced
to pass their abodes, or to see them,
albeit he were moved by compassion to
do them an alms through another person,
yet alway would he turn aside his face,
stopping his nostrils with his hand. But
through the grace of God he became so
intimate a friend of the lepers that, even
as he recorded in his will, he did sojourn
with them and did humbly serve them.
21. But after his visitation of the
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S. FRANCIS 85
lepers, when he became all changed The hid
for good, he took with him a comrade*'***'"^
whom he dearly loved unto lonely places,
saying unto him that he had found a
certain great and rich treasure. This
man rejoiced not a little, and gladly
went with him whensoever he was
bidden. Him Francis would take unto
a cave underground hard bv Assisi,
entering it himself alone, ana leaving
without his comrade anxious to possess
the treasure, while he, penetrated by a
new and wondrous spirit, would pray
unto his Father in secret, desiring that
none should know that which he did
within save the Lord only, of Whom
he earnestly inquired concerning the
possession of the heavenly treasure.
This when the enemy of mankind
perceived, he strove to withdraw him
from the good courses whereon he had
entered, smiting him with fear and
trembling. For there was at Assisi a
certain woman hump-backed and mis-
shapen, whom the devil, appearing unto
the man of God, brought back unto
his remembrance, threatening to set
upon his back the hump of that woman
unless he would withdraw from the
purpose he had conceived. But this
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26 THE LEGEND OP S. FRANCIS
Ans:uish right valiant knight of Christ, heeding
of mind, naught these threats of the devil, prayed
within the cave that God would direct
his path. Howbeit, he did endure sore
anguish and trouble of mind, unable to
rest until the work should be done that
he had conceived in his mind to do;
divers thoughts followed one another
in turn, whereof the importunity did
full sorely trouble him. For he glowed
within with fire divine, nor was he able
to hide outwardly the glow then kindled
in his heart. It repented him to have
sinned so grievously, and now neither
his past evil ways delighted him, nor
his present, nor had he as yet received
assurance of abstaining from them in
future. Moreover, when he would
come forth from the cave unto his
comrade, he seemed changed into
another man.
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CHAPTER V
If the Jirst speech of the Crucified unto
hinty and how thenceforth he did bear
in his heart the Passion of Christ until
his death.
13. Now on a day when he wasHianew
irdently beseeching the mercy of God, joy*
the Lord shewed him that it should soon
be told unto him what he ou8;ht to do.
And thenceforward he was filled with
such joy that he could not contain him-
self for gladness, albeit he took heed
lest he should blab aught of this secret
in the ears of men. Cautiously, never-
theless, and speaking as in riddles, he
said he was minded not to go into
Apulia, but to do noble and mighty
deeds in his own country. But when
his comrades saw him thus changed, —
though in truth he had long been
estranged from them in spirit, even
while associating with them from time
to time in bodily presence, — they again
ask him as in jest : ** Art thou minded
to take a wife ? " Unto whom he made
27
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28 THE LEGEND OP
The answer by a sort of riddle as before was
C">*J^told. Now after a few days he was
Damkn's! walking near the Church of §. Damian
when it was told him in the spirit that
he should enter to pray therein. And
when he had come in, he began to pray
right instantly before a certain Image of
the Crucified, the which spake unto him
in holy and gracious wise, saying :
"Francis, seest thou not that My
House is being destroyed ? Go there-
fore, and repair Me it." And trembling
and astonied he saith : " Gladly wiU
I do it, O Lord.'* For he understood
the saying to be of that Church, which
through its exceeding great age seemed
like soon to fall. And by that speech
thus made unto him he was so filled
with joy and so illumined of light that
in his soul he felt in very truth that it
had been Christ Crucified Who had
spoken unto him. Then departing from
the Church he found the priest sitting
hard by, and setting his hand to his
purse, he handed him a certain amount
of money, saying : " I beseech thee, sir
priest, that thou buy oil and make to
burn ever a lamp before the Crucifix,
and when this money shall have been
spent on the purpose, I will again make
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S. FRANCIS 29
over unto thee so much as then shall S.
be occasion." h^^fh
14. Wherefore from that hour was his the Lord's
heart pierced and melted by the re- Passion,
membrance of the Lord's Passion, for
that ever while he lived he did bear in
his heart the Stigmata of the Lord Jesus,
even as thereafter did most evidently
appear from the renewal of those same
Stigmata in his body, miraculously
wrought and most clearly set forth.
Thenceforward he did afflict himself
with so great mortification of the body
as that, well or ill, he was ever exceeding
austere toward his body, and was minded
seldom if ever to spare himself. Where-
fore when the day of his death was at
hand, he confessed that he had sinned
much against Brother Body. Now on
a time he was walking alone near the
Church of S. Mary of the Little Portion,
weeping, and wailing with a loud voice.
And a devout man hearing him thought
he was sufiering from some sickness or
grief. And, moved by pity toward him,
he asked him wherefore he wept. But
he said : " I weep for the Passion of my
Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom I ought
not to be ashamed to go mourning aloud
throughout the whole world." Then
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30 THE LEGEND OF
His that other began likewise to weep with
*^*"*"him aloud. And often when he rose
from prayer, his eyes seemed full of blood,
so much and so bitterly was he wont to
weep. But not with tears alone did he
mortify himself, but also with abstinence
from food and drink, in memory of the
Lord's Passion.
15. Wherefore when at times he was
sitting to eat with laymen, and there were
set before him divers dainty meats pleasant
unto his body, he would taste but little
of them, making some show of excuse,
that he might not appear to have sent
them away on account of fasting. And
when he was eating with the brethren,
he would often strew ashes on the food
that he ate, saying unto the brethren as
a cloak for his abstinence: ^^ Brother
Ash is pure." And once when he had
sat down to eat, a Brother said how the
Blessed Virgin at the hour of meal-time
was so miserably poor that she had naught
to give her Son to eat. Hearing this, the
man of God sighed with heavy grief, and,
leaving the table, ate his bread on the
bare ground. Ofttimes in truth when
he had sat down to eat, a little while after
the beginning of the meal, he would sit
neither eating nor drinking, uplifted in
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S. FRANCIS 31
iconsideration of heavenly things. At and
such times, he would fain be hindered ^Jfl^y
by no speech, breathing forth deep sighs tions.
from the bottom of his heart. For he
iwould say unto the brethren that always
when they heard him sighing thus, they
should praise God, and pray for him
6ithfully. These things concerning his
tears and his abstinence we have told
incidentally, that we might shew him to
have been, after the said vision and speech
of the Image of the Crucified, ever con-
formed unto the Passion of Christ until
his death.
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CHAPTER VI
How at first hefied from the persecution ^
his father and kindred^ tarrying w«lj
the priest of S. Damiarty in at luhi,
nvindow he had thrown the money. \
S. 1 6. And so, rejoicing at the sai
Francis vision and speech of the Crucified, k
Folirno. '^^^» fortifying himself with the sign o
' the Cross, and, mounting his horse, 1h
took stufi& of divers colours and caim
unto the city called Foligno. Then
he sold his horse and all the goods thai
he had carried, and returned forthwiti
unto the Church of S. Damian. Find*
ing there the poor priest, with great faiti
and devotion he kissed his hands, anJ
gave him the money that he was carryings
and told him his purpose from begin-
ning to end. The priest, astonied, ani
marvelling at his sudden conversioi
refused to believe this, and, thinking b
was being mocked, would not keep th
money in his dwelling. But Frand
with importunity persisted, striving ti
make him put faith in his words, ani
32
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 33
esought the priest yet more instantly He
D let him tarry with him. At length hideth
me priest yielded to his sojourn there, J^^PJ^"
but would not receive the money for
fear of his parents. Wherefore the true
lespiser of monies flung the same in
It a certain window, valuing it no more
than dust. Then, while he was sojourn-
ing in the place aforesaid, his fether, like
1 careful scout that maketh reconnais-
sance, went round about seeking what had
become of his son. And when he heard
that he was thus changed and was now
sojourning in such wise in the place
already spoken of, he was stricken with
inward grief, and, perplexed as to the
sudden turn that things had taken, called
Ms friends and neighbours together, and
ran with all speed unto the place. But
Francis himself, for that he was but a
new knight of Christ, when he heard the
threats of them that followed him and
perceived their coming, gave way before
bis father's anger, and betook him unto a
bidden cavern that he had made ready
For himself unto this end, and there for
I whole month he lay hidden. Which
zavern was known unto one alone of his
father's household, and here he ate the
Food brought unto him at times in secret,
c
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34 THE LEGEND OP
but soon praying continually with a flood of tean
-^*^;that the Lord would deliver him from
dureUi it harmful persecution, and would fulfil 1m
holy vows by His gracious favour.
17. And when in fasting and weeping
he had thus waxed fervent, and had be^
sought the Lord continuously, distrustinfl
his own valour and perseverance, he ca^
his hope wholly upon the Lord, Who ha4
poured forth upon him, albeit abiding ia
darkness, a gladness unspeakable, and had
enlightened him with wondrous illumiiuH
tion. And with such a glow was he al^
kindled withal that he left his shelter^
and started on the viray unto Assist, evev
hastening forward st^fast and joyfuL
Safeguarded by the armour of trust in
Christy glowing with divine fervour, ancl
reproaching himself with his sloth an^
empty fear, he openly gave himself up^
unto the hands and blows of them that
persecuted him. When they saw him,
his former acquaintance upbraided him with
contempt, crying out on him as a mad^
man and one beside himself, and flange
the mud of the streets and stones at him.'
For, perceiving him thus changed from'
his former ways, and worn out by morti-
fication of the flesh, they imputed every-;
thing he did to want of food and madness.
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S. FRANCIS 35
Nevertheless, the soldier of Christ passed His
m through it all even as one deaf, neither ^^^S**
iroken down nor changed by any injury ^'^^
lone him, but giving God thanks. And
rhen such a report of him had arisen in
he places and streets of the city, at last
t reached his father. But he, when he
leard that such things were being done
into his son by his fellow-citizens, rose
ip forthwith to seek him, not that he
night set him free, but rather that he
night destroy him. For, setting no
neasure on his wrath, he ran upon him
iven as a wolf toward a sheep, with cruel
ye and crafty countenance, and so laid
lands in un&therly wise upon him,
[ragging him into the house, where for
Qany days he shut him up in a dark
nison, endeavouring with words and
tripes to bend back his mind unto the
unities of this world.
1 8. Natheless was Francis moved
leither by words, nor wearied out by
tripes, b^ing all patiently, and only
endered thereby yet more eager for his
loly purpose, and stronger to pursue it.
?or when his fiither left home, on a call
>f pressing need, his mother, who alone
ibode with him, misliking her husband's
:reatment of him, spake unto her son
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36 THE LEGEND OF
and with gentle entreaty. And for that she^
complaint could not withdraw him from his holf
CoMull^ purpose, yet did the bowels of her pity so
yearn toward him that she brake his
Donds, and let him go forth free. He
then, giving thanks unto Almighty God,
returned unto the place where he had
been afore, and, making use of a larger
freedom, as he that had been proven by
the temptations of devils and had learnt
his lesson by the trial, took heart of
grace, and stepped forward the freer and
the nobler from the wrongs he ha^
suffered. In the meanwhile his fothd
returned, and, not finding his son, heaped
sin on sin by flinging his reproaches at
his wife.
19. Then he ran unto the Palace ol
the Commune, complaining of his son
before the Consuls of the city, demanding
that they should cause to be restored unto
him the money that Francis had carried
ofFy taking with him all there was in the
house. And the Consuls, seeing him thvA
vexed, called or summoned Francis by aij
apparitor to appear before them. But m
made answer unto the apparitor thai
through the grace of God he had non
become free, and was no longer botind
by the Consuls, for that he was tlie
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S. FRANCIS 37
servant of God Most High alone. Then The
the Consuls, not minded to use force S**^®P.'*
with him, said unto his father: ** From ^oS^"**
the time he entered the service of God,
he hath gone out of our jurisdiction/'
His father then, seeing that from the
Consuls he would gain naught, laid the
same complaint before the Bishop of the
city. The Bishop, a wise and discreet
man, summoned Francis in manner due
to appear and make answer unto his
father's complaint. And he made answer
unto the messenger : ** Unto the lord
Bishop will I come, for he is the father
and lord of souls." He came therefore
unto the Bishop, and was received by him
with great joy. And unto him the
Bishop saith : ** Thy ftither is sore vexed
against thee and onended. Now there-
fore, if thou desirest to be the servant of
God, give back unto him what money
thou hast, which, since perchance it were
ill-gotten, God desireth not that thou
shouldst use in the work of the Church,
by reason of the sin of thy father, whose
anger will abate when he hath it again.
Have thou then faith in the Lord, my
son, and play the man, and fear not,
for Himself will be thy Helper, and
will give thee in abundance whatso-
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38 THE LEGEND OF
S. ever is needful for the work of Hii
Francis Church.'*
renounc- rr^i . /- ^ i
eth all ^^* Thereupon the man of God rose
up, gladdened and consoled by the words
of the Bishop, and brought the money
before him, saying unto him : ** My lord,
I will give back unto him with a light
heart not only the money that belongeth
unto him, but my clothes also." And
going into the Bishop's chamber, he did
off all his clothes, and laid them with the
money before the Bishop and the other
bystanders, and went forth naked, saying :
"Hear all ye, and understand : — ^until now
have I called Peter Bernardone my &ther,
but, for that I purpose to serve the Lord,
I give back unto him the money, over
which he was vexed, and all the clothes
that I have had of him, desiring to say
only, " Our Father, Which art in Heaven/
not "my father, Peter Bernardone/'
Then was the man of God seen to have
a hair-shirt next his skin under his bright-
coloured garments. Then his &ther rose
up, hot with grief and wrath, and took
the money, and all the clothes. And as
he carried them home, they that had
witnessed the spectacle were moved to
indignation against him for that he left
no one of the clothes unto his son. And
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S. FRANCIS 39
moved with compassion toward Francis, and is
thejr began to weep bitterly. The <^^^^^
Bishop, moreover, regarding his courage Bishop.
and fervour of devotion, and greatly
marvelling at his constancy, put his arms
round him and covered him with his pall.
For he perceived right clearly that his
deed had been of Divine inspiration, and
knew that the things he had seen held
promise of no small import. Wherefore
from thenceforward he became his helper,
exhorting and cherishing him, and guid-
ing and embracing him in the bonds of
We.
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CHAPTER VII
Of his exceeding great toil and pains in re*
pairing the Church of S. Damian, an^
how he began to conquer himself by goif^
for alms.
The 21. On this wise Francis, the servant
««*^*of God, stripped of all worldly goods,
* giveth himself up unto the divine justice,
and despiseth his own life so as to vield
himself up unto the service of God m all
wajrs he may. Returning unto the
Church of S. Damian, glad and fervent
in spirit, he took imto himself as it were
an hermit's habit, and comforted the priest
of that Church with the same words
wherewith he had been himself comforted
by the Bishop. Then rising up, he went
into the city, and began to praise the
Lord aloud, as one drunk with the Spirit,
through the places and the streets. Then
when he had ended his praising of the
Lord after this sort, he turned him to the
gaining of stones for the repairing of the
said Chiu-ch, and said : ^< He that shall
give me one stone, shall have one reward,
40
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 41
Ibut he that shall give two, shall have two He toil-
rev^ards, yea, and he that giveth ^l^^^^e, **Mj «
shall have three rewards." These and u^^an.
many other simple words would he say
in the fervour of his spirit, for as a foolish
man and simple, chosen of God, did he
speak, not in learned words of human
wisdom, but behaving him in all things
as a simple man. Many, indeed, would
laugh him to scorn, thinking him mad,
but others, stirred by compassion, were
moved to tears, seeing him to have come
so quickly from such wantonness and
worldly vanity as it were into a very in-
toxication of the Divine love. But he,
scorning all derision, did ever give God
thanks in fervour of spirit. How great
his toil in the work aforesaid it were long
and hard to tell. For he that had been
so dainty in his Other's home did carry
the stones on his own shoulders, afflicting
himself with manifold burdens in the
service of God.
22. But the priest aforesaid, thinking
on the toil that he had taken on him so
fervently, beyond his strength, in his
Divine obedience, was fain to purvey him,
poor though he were, some &re beyond
the common. For he knew that he had
lived delicately in the world. And truly.
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42 THE LEGEND OP
Besfgimcas the man of God did himself afterward
his bread, confess, he did ofttimes provide him d
rich syrups and confections, and did shun
distasteful meats. But when on a daj
the priest told him that which he ha4
been doing for him, he said imto himself:
"Wilt thou find this priest, wherever
thou mayst go, to shew thee such
courtesy ? This is not the life of a poor
man, which thou didst desire to choose,
but, even as the poor man goeth from
door to door carrying his beggar's dish in
his hand, and so as need doth compel,
gathereth together a medley of various
victuals, thus of thine own free will
oughtest thou to live, for the love of
Him Who was born poor and did most
poorly live in this world, and remained
naked and poor upon the Cross, and was
buried in another's sepulchre." There-
fore on a day he took a dish, and came
into the city, going from door to door
asking an alms. And when he had set
divers victuals in his bowl, many mar-
velled, that knew him to have lived so
delicately, beholding him thus wondrouslj
changed into such contempt of himself.
But when he would have eaten that
medley of various meats, at first he shrank
back, for that he had never been used
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S. FRANCIS 43
flUingly even to see, much less to eat, His
ich scraps. At length, conquering Other's
imself, he began to eat, and it seemed ^
pto him that in eating no rich syrup had
k ever tasted aught so delightsome,
ihenceforward so did his heart exult in
the Lord that his flesh, albeit feeble and
afflicted, was strengthened to bear gladlv
all things harsh and bitter for the Lord s
sake. Moreover he gave God thanks,
for that He had changed bitter into sweet
for him, and had consoled him in mani-
fold wise. So he bade that priest from
that time purvey no food for him, or cause
to be purveyed.
23. Then his father, seeing him set in
such poor estate, was filled with sorrow
exceeding. For by reason that he had
loved him much, he felt shamed, and did
so grieve over him, seeing his flesh as it
were dead from exceeding mortification
ind cold, that, wheresoever he chani
jn him, he would curse him. But
cnan of God, having regard unto
:urses of his father, took unto him a p
man and despised to be his father. A
lie saith unto him : ^^ Come with me, s
[ will give thee of the alms which si
>e given roe. And when thou shalt
ny father curse me, I for my part \
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44 THE LEGEND OF
The say unto thee, * Bless me, my feth
^pfi^*^* and thou shalt make the sign of the Cn
^' over me and bless me in his stead."
then, whenas that poor man blessed hi
the man of God would say unto
father : " Thinkest thou not that Q
can give me a father to bless me, to I
against thy curses?" Moreover, ma]
of them that mocked him, seeing t
albeit he were mocked, he bare all tl
patiently, marvelled with exceed
amazement. Once in winter time wh
he had risen betimes to pray, clad
wretchedly poor clothes, his brother af
the flesh passed by him, and said unto (
of his fellow-citizens tauntingly : " ]
Francis sell thee at least one peni
worth of his sweat." Which hearii
the man of God, filled with saluu
joy, in the fervour of his spirit i
answer in French : *' I," saith
^^will sell right dear that sweat ud
my Lord."
24. But while he was toiling diligentl)
in the work of the Church whereof w<
have spoken, being minded that in thai
Church lamps should burn continuaUvj
he would go through the city to beg oil|
but once when he had come unto 1
certain house, seeing sundry men as-
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S. FRANCIS 45
smbled there for a game, he was ashamed Alms
1 their presence to ask an alms, and n lmian,
rithdrew. Then, communing with him- the home
elf, he reproached himself with having
inned, and running unto the place where
he game was being played, he told his
in in the presence of all the bystanders,
—that he had been ashamed to ask alms
lecause of them. And with a fervent
pirit he drew nigh unto that house, and
n French asked an alms for the love of
^d, for the lamps of the Church afore-
aid. And continuing with other fellow-
abourers in the said task, he would cry
vith a loud voice in the joy of the Spirit
into the inhabitants, saying unto them in
French : " Come, and help me in the
)7ork of the Church of S. Damian, which
liall be the convent of Ladies, by whose
good report and life our Heavenly Father
^11 be glorified in the universal Church."
Behold how he was filled with the spirit
of prophecy, insomuch as that he truly
^retold what was to be I For this is that
bolv place wherein the famous Religion
uid most illustrious Order of the roor
Ladies and holy virgins took its rise,
scarce six years after the conversion of
the Blessed Francis, by means of the same
Blessed Francis. And their wondrous
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46 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
of the life and famous Rule was more fully con-
CU^ firmed by the lord Pope Gregory IX.
saintly memory, at that time Bishop d
Ostia, with the authority of the Apostolic
See.
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CHAPTER VIII
low by hearing and understanding the
monitions of Christ in the Gospel^ he did
at once change his outer garby and did
put on a new garb of perfection both
within and without.
25. Now the Blessed Francis, at theQ^gpei
me when the work of the Church of S. poverty.
)amian was finished, was wearing the
abit of an hermit, carrying a staff in his
and, and walked with his feet shod with
indals, girt with a leather belt. But
learing on a day at the celebration of
Ifass those words that Christ spake unto
lis disciples when He sent them forth to
reach, that they should carry on their
(mraey neither gold nor silver, nor wallet,
lor staff, nor have sandals nor two coats,
nd understanding these words more
Icarly afterward from that same priest,
le was filled with joy unspeakable y
'This,'* saith he, " is that which I am fain
rith all my might to fulfil.'* Where-
bre, committing unto memory all that
^ had heard, he strove joyruUy to fulfil
47
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48 THE LEGEND OF
The the same, casting aside without dd
Fore- whatsoever he had two of, from thenc
"""*^* forward he used neither staflF, sand
purse, nor wallet ; but, making for hims(
a right sorry and rough tunic, he thn
aside his leather belt, and took for a gin
a rope. Moreover, applying all t
anxious endeavour of his heart unto t
words of this new grace, by what mei
he might persevere in that work,
began by Divine intuition to be the herl
of Gospel perfection, and to preach
pentance in simple wise in public. N
were his words empty, nor meet
laughter, but full of the might of the Hi
Spirit, piercing unto the marrow of
heart, insomuch as that his hearers wc
rapt in amazement as they listened,
26. Now as he afterward himself hart
witness, this was the manner of his saluta^
tion, that the Lord had revealed untd
him : " The Lord give thee peace.*^
Wherefore in all his preaching, he wouU
salute the people at the outset by proH
claiming peace. And a marvellous thing"
it is, and not to be accounted for but bf
miracle, that he had before his conversion
a forerunner in making known this salu-
tation, even one that ofttimes went
throughout Assisi giving salutation in this
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S. FRANCIS 49
lise : ** Peace and good, peace and good." S.
From which we must firmly believe that, ^[^J^f^
^en as John the forerunner of Christ did
decrease whenas Christ began to preach,
b this man too, like unto another John,
M been a forerunner of the Blessed
Francis in proclaiming peace. He too,
|rfter the coming of the other, did not
|hew himself as afore. Thus straight-
ty Francis, the man of God, following
the heels of his said herald, filled with
Ihe spirit of the prophets, in words like
Imto theirs, did proclaim peace, and preach
blvation, and many by his salutary moni-
tbns became allies of the true peace, who
^d been aliens from Christ, far from
rvation.
27. Now when the truth of this so
ifanple teaching of the Blessed Francis
mi of his life no less simple became
Manifest unto many, certain men, two
^ears after his conversion, began by his
^sample to turn their minds unto repent-
ince, and, laying aside all things, to join
|faemselves with him in the same habit
told life. First of these was Brother
Bernard of saintly memory, who, behold-
bg the endurance and fervour of the
^lessed Francis in the Divine service, —
ftow, to wit, with much toil he did repair
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50 THE LEGEND OF
ifupiretfa ruined churches, and did lead an austoi
gjj^j**®"* life, whereas he knew that he had live
^*"*"" ' delicately in the world, — purposed in hi
heart to bestow all that he had upon th
poor, and to cleave fast unto that otha
in life and habit. So on a day he wenl
secretly unto the man of God and mafk
known unto him his purpose, and agrees
with him that on such an evening hi
should come unto his house. Upon hear
ing this, the Blessed Francis, giving Goi
thanks, rejoiced exceedingly, seeing thai
he had as yet no companion, and if
especial for that Messer Bernard was i
man of great edification.
28. So the Blessed Francis did comi
unto his house on the evening appointed
with great uplifting of heart, and tarrid
with him that whole nieht. And amonj
other things Messer Sernard said unto
him : ^' If a man had received from hi
lord many or few things, and had kepi
them for many years, and were mindct
no longer to keep them, what could ho
do with them for the best ? *' Thd
Blessed Francis made answer that h^
ought to return them unto his lord froo^
whom he had received them. And Messc
Bernard saith : " Therefore, Brother,
my worldly goods I wish to bestow, fl
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S. FRANCIS SI
5 love of God and of our Lord Jesus The
irist, Who gave them unto me, in such threefold
hion as shall seem best unto thee/'^FSe*^
> whom said the holy man : ^' At Book
rliest dawn will we go to church, and by
e book of the Gospels we shall learn in
lat way the Lord taught His disciples."
ising therefore earlv, with another, by
me Peter, who also was minded to
come a Brother, they came unto the
liurch of S. Nicholas, hard by the
arket-place of Assisi, and, entering
erein to pray, for that they were un-
ttered, and knew not where to find the
ord of the Gospel as to renunciation of
« world, they prayed the Lord devoutly
lat in the first opening of the Book He
ould deign to shew unto them His /^'^
iU.
29. When their prayers were at an end,
le Blessed Francis, taking the shut Book,
id bowing before the altar, did open the
ime, and at the first opening thereof was
tscovered that counsel of the Lord :
If thou wouldst be perfect, go, and sell
11 that thou hast, and give to the poor,
ad thou shalt have treasure in heaven."
^t this opening, the Blessed Francis
ejoiced greatly, and gave God thanks,
iit, for that he was a true worshipper of
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52 THE LEGEND OF
declaretii the Trinity, he desired it to be confirm(
tiieirjjy. thrice-repeated witness, and openi
^' the Book a second and a third tim
And in the second opening was discoverc
that passage beginning : *' Take nothiii
with you on your journey." And in tl
third, that other beginning: "He thj
will come after Me let him deny hinn
self." Thereupon the Blessed Franci
at each opening of the Book, gave Go
thanks for the confirmation of his owi
purpose and long-conceived desire, thric
divinely declared and manifested unt
him, and said unto his companions afore
said, to wit, unto Bernard and Peter
" My brothers, this is our life and Rule
and that of all who shall wish to join ou|
company. Go therefore, and fulfil tha'
ye have heard." So Messer Bernard, wh
\wzs rich exceedingly, went and sold a|
that he had, and, collecting much money
^ave it all among the poor of the city
Peter also according unto his power fill'
filled the Divine counsel Then, bavins
parted with all their goods, they twain a^
the same time put on the habit that the
holy man had taken not long before, aftei
he did give up the hermit's habit, and
from that hour they lived together with
him after the manner of the Holy Gospel
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S. FRANCIS S3
lewn unto them by the Lord, And They
lus the Blessed Francis said in his will : ^'^^JS*
The Lord Himself revealed unto me that
ought to live after the manner of the
loly Gospel."
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CHAPTER IX
Of the manner of the vocation of Broth
Silvestery and of the vision that hek
before entering the Order,
Silvester 30. Now while, as hath been sai
his Messer Bernard was giving: his &:oodsi
largesse unto the poor, the Blessed Franc
was present, beholding the efficacy of d
Lord's working, and magnifying thatLod
in his heart, and praising Him alodl
But there came by a priest, by naoM
Silvester, of whom the Blessed Frand
had bought stones for the repairing of
Church of S. Damian ; whereupon, secii
that so great a sum of money was beii
spent under the advice of the man of ^
the flame of coveteousness was kindled
him, and he said unto him : ^^ FrandsJ
thou hast not paid me in full for tbe
stones that thou didst buy of mcl
Hearing him thus unjustly complain, the
despiser of avarice went unto Mcsscr
Bernard, and, placing his hand in his
cloak, where was the money, with great
fervour of spirit he drew it forth full of
54
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS $5
yinSj and gave them unto the priest that He re-
id complain. And again a second time P«nteth.
lling his hands, he said unto him :
Hast thou now thy payment in full, sir
ricst i '* And he replieth : ** I have it
A full. Brother," and in joy he returneth
tome with the money thus received.
31. But after a few days the same
iriest, inspired of the Lord, began to
x>nder those things that the Blessed
Francis had wrought, and said within
limself : ^^Am not I a wretched man,
Bvho in mine old age do greedily covet
ivorldly goods, while this youth, for the
love of God, despiseth and escheweth
them ? " And the night following, he
saw In a dream an immeasurable Cross,
whereof the top touched the sky, and the
foot was set in the mouth of Francis, and
its arms were stretched from the one side
of the world unto the other. Then the
priest, awakening, did acknowledge and
believe of a certainty that Francis was the
true friend and servant of Christ, and
that the Religion he had begun would
presently spread throughout the whole
world. Wherefore he began to fear God,
and to do penance in his house. Then
at last after a brief space he entered the
Order then already begun, and therein did
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56 THE LEGEND OF
Brother full worthily live and gloriously end h
Giles, j^iyg^
32. Now Francis the man of Go(
joined by two brethren, as hath bee
said) for that he had no hostel wherein m
might sojourn with them, betook hii^
together with them unto a poor littl^
forsaken church that was called S. Mary,
of the Little Portion. And they mad^
there one little cell, wherein they abode
together for a while. Now after some
days, a man of Assisi, Giles by name, did
come unto them, and with great reverence
and devotion, on bended knees, did
beseech the man of God that he would
receive him into his fellowship. Him
the man of God perceived to be most
ficiithfiil and devout, and for that he had
obtained much grace of God, as afterward
appeared from the result, did right gladly
receive him. Then these four were
joined together in exceeding gladness,
and in the joy of the Holy Spirit, and did
separate themselves for a greater enterprise
after this fashion.
33. The Blessed Francis takine with
him Brother Giles went into the March
of Ancona, while the other twain betook
them unto another province. They then,
going into the March, did exult mightily
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S. FRANCIS 57
the Lord, and the holy man, singing Parable
raises in French with a voice loud and 5^®
iear, would bless and magnify the good-
ness of the Most High. Even such
lladness was in them as though thev had
bund a great treasure in the Gospel field
of the Lady Poverty, for love of whom
they had freely and gladly despised all
worldly goods as dung. For the holy
man said unto Brother Giles : " Our
Religion is like unto a fisherman that
casteth his nets into the water, catching
aplentiful multitude of fishes, and, leaving
the small ones in the water, chooseth out
the large ones for his basket." In this
wise did he prophesy the spread of the
Order. But albeit the man of God did
not as yet preach fully unto the people,
yet whensoever he was passing through
the cities or anigh the castles, he woiUd
admonish all that they should love and
fear God, and do penance for their sins.
Brother Giles on his part would exhort
them that heard to believe him, for that
none could give them better counsel.
34. And they that heard would say :
"Who are these men, and what manner
of words are these that they speak ? "
For at that time the love and fear of God
were everywhere extinct, and the way of
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S8 THE LEGEND OF
Gospel penitence was utterly unknown, nay, wi
, "^ held to be foolishness. For so mighdl
"^by^ had prevailed the lusts of the flesh, th
world, covetousness of the world, and the pri<j
of life, that the whole world seemd
utterly given up unto these three malig
nant influences. Therefore opinion wi
diverse as to these men of Gospel liij
For some would say they were fools, o
drunken, while others would protest du|
such words came not forth from foolisa
ness. And one that heard them said
" Either they have cleaved unto the Lot|
for the sake of attaining unto the higher
perfection, or assuredly they are mad, fo
their way of life seemeth intolerably
seeing that their fiire is scanty, they wall
barefoot, and are clad in the meanest o
garments." Nevertheless, albeit that som
were smitten with apprehension whei
they beheld the manner of their conversi
tion, not as yet did any follow after them
rather did the younger women, seein(
them afar off, flee in terror, lest percbana
they should be led away by their foolish*
ness or madness. Now when they hac
journeyed round that province, thq
returned unto the said place of S. Mary.
35. And after that a few da]rs wen
passed, there came unto them yet otha
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S. FRANCIS 59
|Uiree men of Assisi, to wit, Sabbatino,
Kbrico, and John de Cappella, beseeching
e Blessed Francis that he would receive
tiiem among the brethren, and he did
Ireceive them humbly and graciously.
But when they were asking an alms
through the city, scarce any man would
give imto them, but upbraided them,
saying that they had given up their own
igoods to the end that they might devour
those of other men, and thus did they
endure the uttermost penury. Their
iparents also, and kindred, persecuted
them. And others of the city made a
mock of them as though they had lost
their wits, and were fools, for at that
I time was no man wont to give up his
' goods that he might ask alms from door
I to door. Then the Bishop of the city of
Assisi, unto whom the man of God
would ofttimes go for counsel, receiving
him graciously, said unto him : ^^ Hard
and harsh seemeth unto me your life, to
wit, to possess naught in this world.'^
To him saith the holy man : " My lord,
if we should have possessions, we should
need arms to protect ourselves. For^w
thence arise disputes, and law-suits, and
for this cause the love of God and of our
neighbour is wont ofttimes to be hindered,^
6o THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
The wherefore we be minded to posses
PJ^*®^^ naught of worldly goods in this world
^^* And the Bishop was much pleased witli
the answer of the man of God, who
despised all transitory things, and monej
in especial, so utterly that in all hi
Rules he praised most chiefly poverty, aw
would fain have all the brethren zealooi
to eschew money ; — for he made diven
Rules, and essayed them, before he made
that which at the last he left unto tk
brethren. Wherefore in one of them he
said, as to the abhorrence of money : ^^ Let
us take heed, who have given up all, lest
for so slight a thing we lose the kingdoa
of heaven. And if we find money in anf
place, let us care for it no more than for
the dust that we tread under foot."
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CHAPTER X
How he foretold unto his six companions all
things that should come upon them as
they went through the world.
36. S. Francis, for that he was now
enlightened by the grace of the Holy
Spirit, calling unto him the said six
brethren, foretold them those things that
iirere to come. " Dearest brethren,"
saith he, *' let us consider our vocation,
unto which God in His mercy hath called
us, not so much for our own salvation,
as for that of the many, wherefore let us
go through the world, admonishing all
peoples both by ensample and by word to
do penance and to be mindful of the
commands of God. Fear ve not, for
that ye seem weak and despised and
foolish, but with easy minds preach re-
pentance in simple wise, trusting in the
Lord, Who hath overcome the world, for
that by His Spirit He speaketh through
you, and in you, to admonish all men
that they do turn unto Him, and keep
His commandments. Ye will find some
61
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62 THE LEGEND OF
the men that be faithful, gentle, and gracious
^'****^ who will receive you and your word^
^ ^u:e. w^^^ Py^ ^^^ others, the more part, tha
be faithless, proud, and blasphemous, wh(^
with reviling will oppose you, and againsi
these shall ye speak. Be it set therefor^
in your hearts to bear all things patiently!
and humbly."
37. And he gave them his blessing!
And thus blessed the men of God de^
parted, devoutly observing his behests^
When they came on a Church, or waysid^
Crucifix, they would bow in prayer, and
say devoutly : " We adore Thee, Q
Christ, and bless Thee, in all Thy
Churches that be in the whole world]
for that by Thy Holy Cross Thou has^
redeemed the world." For he was peri
suaded that it was alway a place of the
Lord wheresoever they found were it
only a Crucifix. And all that saw them
marvelled exceedingly, for that in habit
and way of life they were unlike all
others, and seemed like uplandish men.
Wheresoever they entered in, were it
city, or castle, or farm, or house, they
brought the message of peace, consoling
all, and bidding them fear and love the
Maker of heaven and earth, and keep His
commandments. Some heard them
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S. FRANCIS 63
pdly, others in contrary wise mocked The
km, and by many they were asked ^^^
pence they came, and of what Order
key were. To whom, albeit it were
iDikome to make answer unto so many
Inquiries, they nevertheless simply con-
bsed that they were penitents, natives of
lie city of Assisi, — for as yet their Order
|ras not confirmed as a Religion.
38. Many thought them deceivers, or
lived, nor were minded to receive
:m into their houses, lest they might
►ve to be thieves who would carry off
leir goods by stealth. Wherefore in
iaany places after injury had been done
|uto them, they would shelter in the
torches of Churches or of houses.
39. For, as hath been said, when both
Imall and great did revile and injure
ihcm, they would at times tear from
^em even the very beggarly garments
fhey had. Then when the servants of
God were left naked, for that according
wito the precept of the Gospel they wore
we tunic only, they would not petition
lor that which had been seized to be
'restored unto them. If indeed any,
moved by pity, were minded to restore
that which had been seized, they received
it back gladly. Some would place dice
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64 THE LEGEND OF
and in their hands, and ask if they wei
)atiencc. minded to play. Others taking hold oi
their hoods from behind would carr
them on their backs as though hangc
by an halter. These and suchlike out
rages did they unto them, thinking then
so despicable that they did boldly tormen
them even as they would. Manifol(
moreover were the tribulations they enj
dured, and narrow were the straid
wherethrough they did pass bi
reason of hunger and thirst and cold and
nakedness. Natheless these they bori
with constancy and patience as they iuuj
been exhorted by the Blessed FrancisJ
nor were they thereby cast down with
sadness, nor did they speak evil unto
them that did evil entreat them. For
instance, about this time two of them
were at Florence, and they went through
the city seeking a lodging yet could find
none. But when they came unto a
certain house that had an oven in the
porch, they said the one unto the other :
*' Here we may take shelter." Accord-
ingly they asked the mistress of the house
to receive them within the house, and,
upon her refusal to do this, they said
humbly that perchance she would allow
them for that night at least to rest near
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S. FRANCIS 6s
bie oven. This she granted, but her Shelter
husband, when that he came and found refused
khem in the porch, called his wife and "**"*•
teiid unto her : " Wherefore hast thou
granted these ribalds shelter in our
porch ? " She made answer that she had
^fused to receive them into the house,
but had granted them to lie without the
porch, where thev could steal naught save
Ihe wood. So her husband would not
Ulow that any shelter should be given
■nto them, albeit the cold was great, for
that he thought them to be ribalds and
thieves. That night, therefore, until
morn they lay near the oven, sleeping
but lightly, warmed only bv the glow
Divine, and covered only by tne shelter of
the Lady Poverty, and then went unto a
Church hard by to hear mattins.
40. When morning came, the woman
went unto that same Church, and seeing
there those brethren continuing devoutly
in prayer, she said within herself: "Were
these men ribalds and thieves, as said my
husband, they would not thus continue
reverently in prayer." While she was
pondering these things inwardly, behold,
a man named Guido was bestowing alms
on the poor that were waiting in that
Church, and when he had come unto the
B
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66 THE LEGEND OF
Brother brethren, and would fain have given unto
^5^" each of them money, as he was giving
answer. ^^^^ the rest, they refused his money,
and would not take it. But he said unto
them : " Wherefore do ye, being poor,
not take money as do the rest ? " Replied
Brother Bernard : " True is it that we be
poor, but poverty is not a hard thing
unto us, as unto the other poor, for
by the grace of God, Whose counsel we
have fulfilled, of our own accord have we
made ourselves poor." At this the man
marvelled, and, asking them if they had
ever had possessions, he learnt from the0
that they had had great possessions, but for
the love of God had given all imto the poor.
For he that thus made answer was that
Brother Bernard, the second to the
Blessed Francis, whom to-day we truly
hold as our most holy &ther; he was
the first to embrace the message of peace
and repentance, and did run to follow the
holy man of G6d, and, selling all that he
had, and giving it unto the poor accord-
ing unto the counsel of Gospel perfection,
did continue unto the end in most holy
poverty. Wherefore the said woman,
taking thought upon this, that the
brethren would have none of the money,
went unto them and said that gladly
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S. FRANCIS 67
would she receive them into her house, Th
if they would come thither for the sake "*
of being her guests. To whom they
humbly made answer : '* The Lord repay
thee for thy goodwill.'* But the man
aforesaid, hearing that the brethren had
not been able to find a lodging, brought
them into his house, saying : '* Behold a
lodging made ready for you of the Lord,
abide therein according unto your good
pleasure." And they, giving God thanks,
[abode with him for some days, edifying
him both by ensample and by word in the
fear of the Lord, so that thereafter he
bestowed much of his wealth on the
poor.
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CHAPTER XI
Of the reception of other four brethren,
and of the most glowing love that tht
first brethren had toward one another^
and of their zeal for worky and f 01
prayer y and of their perfect obedience.
The 41. Now when men saw that the
* brethren amid their trials were uplifted^
^and that they continued zealously and
j. devoutly in prayer, and did neither
accept money, nor carry any, and that
they had the greatest love toward one
another, by the which they were knowi^
of a truth to be disciples of the Lor^
many were pricked to the heart, an^
came unto them, beseeching pardon for
the wrongs that they had inflicted upon
them. And the brethren did forgivd
them from their heart, saying: **Thc
Lord pardon you," and exhorted them
concerning their salvation in salutary
wise. Some there were moreover that!
asked those brethren to receive thenL
into their fellowship, and, for that all
they six had been granted licence from
68
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 69
the Blessed Francis to receive men into They
the Order, by reason of the fewness of ^®*^*
brethren, they did receive -divers others intc
into their fellowship, and with them that Ore
they thus received, at the time appointed,
they one and all returned unto S. Mary
of the Little Portion. And when they
beheld one another again, they were filled
with such gladness and rejoicing as that
naught was had in remembrance by them
of the things that they had suffered from
evil men. They were zealous each day
in prayer, and in working with their
hands, that they might altogether put
away from them all slothfulness that
warreth against the soul. They would
rise at midnight in their zeal, and pray
most devoutly with measureless weeping
and sighing. They cherished one another
with a right inward love, and served each
the other, and nourished him, even as a
mother doth her only and well-beloved
son. Such a charity did burn within
them that it seemed easy unto them to
yield their bodies unto death, not for the
love of Christ alone, but also for the
salvation of the souls, nay, even of the
bodies of their brethren.
42. Thus, for instance, on a day when
two of these brethren were walking
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i
70 THE LEGEND OF
Their together, they chanced on a fool natural]
mutual that took up stones to cast at themj
c anty, \Yijgreupon one of them, seeing that
stones were cast at the other, did forth^
with plant himself in the way to ward ofi
the blows of the stones, being minded
rather that himself should be stricken
than his brother, by reason of the mutual
charity wherewith they were fired, yea,
thus were they ready one for the other
to lay down his life. For in humility
and in charity were they founded, and in
such wise rooted therein, as that each
would reverence other as his father and
lord, and they that did excel by reason of
being set in authority, or in virtue of any
special grace, did shew them more
humble and lowly than the rest. More-
over, they did all yield them utterly unto
obedience, ever making themselves ready
to obey him that did enjoin them aught,
nor did they make distinction between
the just and the unjust, for that whatso-
ever was commanded they thought to be
according unto the will of the Lord,
wherefore to fulfil that which was en-
joined was unto them an easy task and
a pleasant. But from the lusts of the
flesh they did abstain, anxiously passing
judgment upon themselves, and taking
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S. FRANCIS 71
heed moreover lest one should cause obedi-
another in any wise to offend. h*nSlit7^
43. If at any time it betided that one ^
spake unto another a word that might
vex him, so much did his conscience
prick him that he could not rest until he
had told his feult, prostrating himself
humbly on the ground, that he might
make the foot of the brother he had
vexed be laid on his own mouth. And
if the brother that had been vexed were
loth to lay his foot on his mouth, — that
is, on the mouth of that other, — then if
he that had vexed him were in authority,
he would 'command the brother to lay his
foot on his mouth ; if he were one sub-
ject unto him, he would make him be
commanded to do so by one that was
superior. In this wise would they en-
deavour to put far from them all bitter-
ness and malice, and to preserve ever
among them a perfect loving-kindness,
striving with all their might to set over
against any special vice some special
virtue, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
working with them and preventing them
in all their ways. Nor did they claim
aught as belonging unto any one of
them, but the books and other things
granted unto them they had in common,
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72 THE LEGEND OP
In according unto the manner handed dowi
^^fr^. ^^^ observed from the Apostles. But
handed,' albeit it were true poverty that dwelt ii
them and among them, yet were the}
free-handed and generous with all granted
unto them for the sake of the Lord^
giving freely of the alms bestowed on
them, for the love of Him, unto all that
asked) and in especial unto the poor.
44. Whensoever on their journeys thej
did find by the way beggars asking aught
from them for the love of God, and the|
had naught else to ofier, they would give
them some part of their clothes, sorry as
these were. At whiles they gave theii
hood, cutting it ofF from the tunic, a^
whiles the sleeve, that they might fulfil
that Gospel command : " Give unto
him that asketh of thee." Once on a
day a beggar came unto the Church of
S. Mary of the Little' Portion, wherein
the brethren were sojourning for a time,
and asked an alms. There was a cloak
there, which had belonged unto a la^
brother, who, when the Blessed Francis
bade him give it unto that beggar, gladly
and speedily gave it him. And that very
moment, by reason of the reverence and
devotion which that brother shewed in
giving the cloak unto the beggar, it
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S. FRANCIS 73
iemed unto him that his alms had gone rejoicing
pinto heaven, and he felt himself ful- y* *^*
Ued of a joy unknown before. ^^ '
45. Whensoever rich men did turn
iie in this manner unto them, they
tceived them eagerly and graciously,
triving to recall them from evil, and to
|ir them up unto repentance. Zealously
^reover did they seek not to be sent
|nto the land of their birth, that they
Eight shun familiarity and friendship
rith their own kindred, and thus observe
jbe saying of the prophet : '* I am become
[stranger unto my brethren, and an alien
^to my mother's children." In poverty
jhcy did rejoice exceedingly, for that
hj were not greedy after riches, but
kspised all transitory things such as
night be greedily desired by the lovers
if this world. Money in especial they
wuld tread under foot as dust, and, even
Bthey had been taught by the holy man^
Fould weigh it at the same price and
freight as asses* dung. They rejoiced
nthe Lord continually, having naught
mhin them or without that could in
uiy wise make them sad. For the further
icy were sundered from the world, so
nuch the nigher were they joined unto
the Lord. Walking in the way of the
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74 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
The Cross, and in the paths of justice, thi
'**JJ°^did remove stumbling-blocks from ti
' narrow way of repentance and of Gos(
observance, so that the path of them tfa
followed after might be made even ai
sure.
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CHAPTER XII
Jffiv the Blessed Francis with eleven com-
panions went unto the Curia of the
Popey that he might notify unto him
his purpose^ and make be confirmed the
Rule that he had written.
46. Now the Blessed Francis, per-
feiving that his brethren were increasing
ti merit and in number, for that now
hey were twelve most perfect men,
D of a like mind, spake unto those
Icven, himself the twelfth, saying : " I
erceive, brethren, that the Lord is
linded of His mercy to increase our
(llowship. Let us go therefore unto our
lother, the Holy Roman Church, and
lotify unto the Pope that which the
x)rd hath begun to work through us,
hat by his good pleasure and command
re may carry on that which we have
icgim." Then since the words of the
^ather seemed good unto the other
irethren, together with him they took
heir journey unto the Curia, whereupon
he Blessed Francis said unto them :
75
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76 THE LEGEND OF
They '* Let us make one of our number i
to Ro^" leader, and let us hold him as the Vi(
* of Jesus Christ, so that according ui
his will, whither he goeth we shall i
and where he lodgeth there also will 1
lodge." And they chose Brother Berna
the first after the Blessed Francis, and
the Father had said so did they. Tl
rejoicing they went on their way, ^
did speak the words of the Lord!, i
venturing to speak aught save that whi
pertained unto the praise and glory
God, and unto the profit of the soul, i
ofttimes they gave themselves up m
prayer. And the Lord ever made rca
a lodging for them, causing all need]
things* to be ministered unto them.
47. When they had come unto Ron
they found there the Bishop of the ci
of Assisi, and were received by him wi
exceeding joy, for he did reverence t
Blessed Francis and all the brethren wi
especial fevour. Nevertheless, beii
ignorant of the reason of their comif
he began to be troubled, fearing lest th
were minded to leave their own proving
wherein the Lord had begun throuj
them to work marvels. For he rejoic
greatly to have such men in his bishopr
men whose life and conversation he to
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S. FRANCIS 77
be of passing great promise ; but when The lord
had heard the reason, and understood Johnthwr
Bir intent, he rejoiced much, oflfering
em unto this end counsel and help.
his same Bishop was known unto the
irdinal of S. Sabina, by name the
'd John of S. Paul, a man full of the
ace of God, loving beyond all other
e servants of God. To him the said
shop had made known the life of the
[essed Francis, and of his brethren,
liercfore he himself was fain to behold
e man ofGod, and some of his brethren,
earing that they were in the City, he
nt for them, and received them with
eat reverence and devotion.
48. Tarrying with him for a few days,
ey so edified him by their holy discourse
id ensample that, seeing how manifestly
at which he had heard concerning them
d shine forth in their work, he corn-
ended himself unto their prayers humbly
id devoutly, furthermore beseeching as
' especial grace that from thenceforward
: might be counted as one of the
ethren. At last, asking the Blessed
rancis wherefore he had come, and hear-
ig from him all his purpose and intent,
s offered himself to be his advocate with
le Curia. Wherefore the said Cardinal
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78 THE LEGEND OF
The went unto the Curia, and said unto th
deskeS? ^^^^ ^^P^ Innocent III. : *' I have founi
a man of most perfect life, that is mindfl
to live conformably with the Holy Gospc
and to observe in all things Gospel pei
fection : through whom, as I believe, th
Lord is minded to reform throughout tii
whole world the faith of Holy ChurchJ
Which hearing, the lord Pope marvelle
much, and bade the Cardinal bring th
Blessed Francis unto him.
49. So upon the day following the qui
of God was presented by the said Cardim
before the Pope, unto whom be laid bar
all his holy purpose. The Pope hii
for that he was gifted in especial
with discernment, assented after
wonted manner unto the petition of
holy man, and gave him his blessing, sa;
ing : " Go with the Lord, brethren,
even as the Lord shall deign to inspii^
you, do ye preach repentance unto allj
But when God Almighty shall bm
multiplied you with a greater fellowship
and grace, bring word unto us, and wl
will grant more unto you than this, and
will commit unto you greater powers witi
more assurance." Howbeit, for that the
lord Pope was minded to know whether
the things granted or to be granted were
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S. FRANCIS 79
accordance with the will of God, before assurance
5 holy man left his presence, he said^J^®^**
to him and his companions : ^^ Little
ildren mine, this life of yours seemeth
to us too hard and rough, for albeit we
lieve your fervency to be such as that
w^ould ill become us to doubt you,
vertheless must we have regard unto
em that shall follow after you, lest this
ty shall seem too harsh for them/' Yet
ben he had seen the constancy of their
ith, and that their anchor of hope was
ost firmly fixed in Christ, insomuch as
at they would not be tiu-ned aside from
eir fervency of spirit, he said unto the
lessed Francis : "Go, my son, and pray
od that He reveal unto thee whether
lat ye seek cometh of His will, so that
e, being assured of the Lord's will, may
«ede unto thy desire."
50. While therefore the holy man was
"aying unto God, even as the lord
ope had proposed unto him, the Lord
ake unto him in spirit by a parable,
yine : ** A certain woman, poor but
^mely, abode in a wilderness, and a great
ling, marvelling at her beauty, did desire
reatly to take her to wife, thinking she
rould bear him fair sons. And after that
liey had been betrothed and wedded,
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8o THE LEGEND OF
The many sons were born unto them a
parable of nurtured, unto whom the mother spj
woman!! ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ • " ^Y ^"^> ^^ '
ashamed^ seeing that ye be King's so
Wherefore go unto his Court, and
himself will minister unto you all thir
needful." So when they had come ur
the King, the King marvelled at th
beauty, seeing moreover in them his 01
likeness, and he said unto them : " Whc
sons be ye ? " Unto whom they ma
answer that they were the sons of a pd
woman sojourning in the wilderness, ai
therewithal the King did embrace thd
with great joy, saying : " Fear not, f\
my sons are ye ; for if from my tali
strangers are fed, how much more shi
ye be, that be my lawful sons ? Ther
fore the King bade the woman aforesa
send all the sons born of her unto ll
Court to be brought up and nurtured]
So when these things had been shein^
in a vision unto the Blessed Francis as I
prayed, the holy man did understand thi
himself was intended under the figure i
that poor woman.
51. And his prayer ended, he presentc
himself again before the Pope, and relate
unto him in order the parable which til
Lord had shewed unto him, and said
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S. FRANCIS 8i
I, my lord, am that poor woman, whom The
lod loved and of His mercy hath thus 5®^?^®^
Miight, and by whom it hath seemed i^terM.
Bod unto Him to beget unto Himself
iwful sons. And the King of Kings
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82 THE LEGEND OF
The aspire to the uttermost, and when tlx
^R»J« lord Pope beheld him thus glowing witi
approved, ^j^^ j^^^ ^f Qq^^ ^^^ ^as speaking witI
him of his vision, and of the said parabl
shewn unto the man of God, he began t(
say within himself: "Of a truth thisi
that Religious, the holy man by whoa
the Church of God shall be uplifted and
upheld." For which cause he did em'
brace him and did approve the Rule thai
he had written. Moreover, he gave him
authority to preach repentance in al
places, and to his brethren also, yet is
such wise as that they which should preacli
should obtain an authority from tb^
Blessed Francis, and this same thing be
did afterward ratify in the Consistory.
52. These privileges granted, tW
Blessed Francis gave Grod thanks, an<|
on bended knees humbly and devoutly
promised the lord Pope obedience anJ
reverence. In like wise also, by injunq
tion of the lord Pope, the other brethren
did promise obedience and reverence untq
the Blessed Francis. Then after rcceivinf
the Pope's blessing, and visiting the
thresholds of the Apostles, the tonsure
was given unto the Blessed Francis an^
the other eleven brethren according «^
the said Cardinal had provided, for kc
d by Google J
S. FRANCIS 83
was minded that they all twelve should The tree
be clerics. ^** ^^^
53. Departing from the Citv, the man
of God set forth into the world with the
said brethren, marvelling greatly that his
desire had been thus easily accomplished,
and growing daily in hope and in the
feith of the Saviour, Who by His holy
revelations had beforehand shewn unto
him that which came to pass. For,
before that he had gained the aforesaid
privileges, one night in sleep it seemed
unto him that he was walking along a
road whereby was a right tall tree, fair to
look on, brave and big. And when he
drew nigh thereunto, and stood beneath
it, marvelling at its height and comeliness,
lo I he himself became of a sudden so tall
as that he did touch the top of the tree,
and bent it down unto the earth right
easily. And of a truth this did so befall ;
Pope Innocent, the tallest and comeliest
and bravest tree in the world, bending
himself in such passing gracious wise unto
his petition and desire.
d by Google
CHAPTER XIII
Of the efficacy of his preachings and of tht
first place that he hady and how the
brethren abode therein^ and in what sort
they departed thence.
S. 54. Thenceforward the Blessed
Fraiu^ Francis, going round among cities and
^'^*^" castled villages, began everywhere to
* preach more fully and perfectly, pro-
claiming the Kingdom of God, not in the
plausible words of human wisdom, but in
the teaching and might of the Holy Spirit
For he was a true preacher, confirmed b;
Apostolic authority, making use of no
flatteries, and abhorring the blandish-
ments of speech, for that whatsoever hej
preached in words unto others, of that he
had first convinced himself in deed, that]
he might in full confidence declare th
truth. Men marvelled at the power
his discourses, and their truth, which ma
had not taught him ; yea, even th
lettered and the wise hastened mol
eagerly to see and hear him, as a man i
another world. Thenceforward muc
84
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 85
}ik, nobles and commons, clerics and At Rive
lymen, began under the influence of*^®^^
Divine inspiration to tread in the footsteps
of the Blessed Francis, casting from them
the cares of the world, and its vain shows,
that they might live under his discipline.
55. Now as yet the happy Father and
his sons were abiding in a place hard by
Assisi that is called Rivo Torto, where
was a certain wooden cote deserted of
men, the which place was so narrow that
Karce could they sit or lie down therein.
There full often for lack of bread they ate
naught but turnips, that they would beg
here and there in their straits. The man
of God wrote the names of the brethren
on the beams of the cote, so that he that
was minded to rest, or to pray, might know
hb own place, and that in their huddling
together for the straitness of the room,
no unseemly noise might disturb the
silence of the mind. But on a day, while
the brethren were abiding in this place,
it chanced that a countryman came
thither with his ass, desiring to take
shelter with his ass in the cote, who,
that he might not be repulsed by the
brethren, spake unto his ass as he entered :
"Get in with you, get well within, for
we shall do well in this place." Which
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86 THE LEGEND OF
They ac- hearing, and perceiving the words and pur-
^Church P^**^ ^^ ^^^ countryman, the holy FathcJ
was troubled in spirit, in especial over the
man, for that he had made a great dis-
turbance with his ass, disquieting thei
brethren who were one and all giving
themselves up unto silence and prajer.
Wherefore the man of God said unto the
brethren: "I wot, brethren, that God
hath not called us apart to provide
stabling for an ass, nor an inn-parlour for
men, but that we should alway preach
unto men the way of salvation, giving
salutary counsels, and in especial that we
ought to devote ourselves unto praver
and thanksgiving." They therefore left
the said wooden cote for the use of poor
lepers, betaking themselves unto the
Church of S. Mary of the Little Portion,
nigh whereunto they had sojourned for a
while in a little cell, before that thej
obtained possession of the Church itself.
56. And after a time the Blessed
Francis, under the guidance of the v?ill
and inspiration of God, did humbly
acquire that Church from the Abbot of
S. Benedict on Monte Subasio hard bv
Assisi, which the holy man himself com-
mended with singular affection unto the
Minister-General and all the brethren,
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S. FRANCIS 87
H a place beyond all other places of this of S.
prorld beloved of the glorious Virgin. JJ^Jjc
iAjid toward assuring the commendation Portion.
and love of this place much was wrought
by a vision that a brother yet living in
the world saw, one that the Blessed
Francis did love with an especial tender-
ness, manifesting toward him as long as
he was with him his chiefest familiarity.
This man, then, desiring to serve God,
even as thereafter he did faithfully serve
Him in the Religion, saw in a vision that
all the men of this world were blind, and
were gathered on bended knees in a circle
around S. Mary of the Little Portion,
and with clasped hands and faces uplifted
toward heaven were beseeching the Lord
with a voice loud and pitiful that of His
mercy He would deign to enlighten them.
To whom thus praving, it appeared that
a great radiance brate forth from the sky,
and falling upon them enlightened them
all with salutary light. And that other,
awaking, steadfasuy purposed to serve
God, and a little thereafter did leave this
evil world and its vain shows far behind,
and entered the Religion, wherein he
abode in the service of God, humbly and
devoutly.
d by Google
CHAPTER XIV
Of the Chapter that nvas held tivice a jeai
in the place of S. Mary of the Link
Portion.
The 57. Now after the aforesaid place ol
Whitsun S. Mary was acquired from the sai^
Chapter. ^1,^^^^ ^^^ Blessed Francis did ordain
that a Chapter should be held there twice
a year, to wit, at Whitsuntide and at
Michaelmas. At Whitsuntide, all the
brethren assembled unto S. Mary anil
consulted how best they might observe
the Rule ; they did also allot brethren
unto the various provinces, who should
preach unto the people, and distribute
the brethren throughout their provinces.
Moreover S. Francis gave unto them ad-
monitionSy rebukes, and precepts, accord-
ing as seemed good unto him by the
counsel of the Lord. And all the words
that he preached unto them he did shew
forth in practice with tenderness and zeaL
He paid reverence unto the prelates and
priests of S. Mary, and did honour unto
such as were elders, or of noble birth, or
88
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THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS 89
ich, while the poor he loved inwardly, S.
earning toward them with the l>owels ^^J^^*
f compassion, and did demean himself tions.
8 though he were subject unto all.
Ind albeit he were raised above all the
irethren, yet did he ordain one of the
irethren that abode with him to be his
Varden and lord, unto whom, that he
night banish from himself all occasion
br pride, he would humbly and devoutly
ay obedience. For he did humble his
lead among all even unto the ground, that
mong the saints and the elect of God
ke might hereafter deserve to be exalted
n the sight of God. He exhorted the .
brethren earnestly that they should
trictly observe the Holy Gospel, and
he Rule that they had vowed, and in
special that they should shew reverence
nd devotion as touching the divine
offices, and the ordinances of the Church,
nd should devoutly hear Mass, and most
Icvoutly adore the Body of the Lord.
^riests, moreover, who do handle the
everend and highest Sacraments, he
rould should be in especial wise
lonoured by the brethren, insomuch as
hat wherever they might find them,
Jiey were to bow the head before them,
ind to kiss their hands ; if they met them
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90 THE LEGEND OF
Rever-on horseback, he would fain have the
*°^8lwwn ^^^ ^^^ ^^^y ^^^^^ hands, but even tl
unto all, hooves of the horses whereon they rod
by reason of the respect due unto the
office. I
58. Moreover he exhorted the brethr^
that they should judge no man, nor thiii
scorn of them that live delicately, an
are clad proudly in superfluous braver
for that our God is their Lord also, abl
to call them unto Himself, and havin
called, to justify them. He would sa
that he desired the brethren shod
reverence such as brothers, and their lord
for that they were brothers, being create
by the one Creator, and lords, in as mud
as they did help the good to work rj
pentance, ministering unto them tH
things needful for the body. Thi
furthermore he would say : ** The con
versation of the brethren in the worl
ought to be after such a sort as tha
whoever doth see or hear them shal
glorify our Heavenly Father, and shal
devoutly praise Him.*' For his chic
desire was that himself no less than thi
brethren should abound in works such a!
that the Lord should be praised thereby
And he would say unto them : " Even as
ye with your mouth do proclaim peaces
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S. FRANCIS 91
I like manner take heed that ye have
I yet more fully in your hearts. Let
pone through you be stirred up unto
^th, or unto o£Fence, but let all men
be stirred up through your gentleness unto
Race, goodwill and mercy. For unto
vis have we been called, even that we
bay heal the wounded, bind up the
token-hearted, and recall them that
ve erred. For many seem unto us to
k limbs of the devil, that shall yet be
Ibciples of Christ."
I 59, Moreover, the loving Father did
icbuke those of his brethren that were
^ austere unto themselves, labouring
ivermuch in vigils and fasts, and toils of
te body. For certain of them did
nortify themselves so severely in order
that they might repress in themselves
the lusts of the flesh, as that they did
(Bern to hate their very selves. These
lie man of God forbade, exhorting them
n kindly wise, and reproving them
iccording unto reason, and binding up
beir wounds with the bands of salutary
irecepts. And among the brethren that
ittended the Chapter was none durst tell of
irorldly afiairs, but they spake concerning
iie lives of the Saints, and how best and
Host perfectly they might win the grace
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92 THE LEGEND OF
S. of the Lord Jesus Christ. If one of tl
dSd tti ^^^*^*'^'^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^"^^ ^^^^ ^^^ Chaptt
^^ely had suffered any temptation or tribulatioi
with by hearing the Blessed Francis discoun
each, i-jjyg sweetly and fervently, and by h
holding his penitence, they were deliverc
from their temptations, and were marve
lously sustained in their trials. For i
his compassion he spake unto them m
as a judge, but as a merciful father unt
his sons, and as a good physician unt
the sick, knowing how to be weak wit
them that were weak, and to be afflicte
with them that were afflicted, Yc
none the less did he rebuke sinners aftc
their deserts, and with due repriman
constrain the obstinate and rebellioa
When the Chapter was at an end, h
gave his blessing unto all the brethrei
and sent them forth each unto tb
province allotted unto him. Whosoevc
among them had the spirit of God, an
eloquence apt for preaching, whether h
were cleric or layman, unto him he ga?
authority to preach. They, when the
had received his blessing, with gra
rejoicing of spirit went through th
world as pilgrims and strangers, carryini
naught on their journey, save only tb
books wherein they might recite thd
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S. FRANCIS 93
ours. Wherever they met a priest, They
ere he rich or poor, good or bad, they ^^^^
>wed themselves humbly and did him power
verence. And when they had need
I lodge them, they did more gladly
tide with priests than with worldly
)rnien«
6o. But when it was not possible for
lem to find a lodging with priests, they
ould seek first for spiritually-minded
id devout persons that feared God, with
horn they might most conveniently
nourn, until in all the cities and castled
Uages that the brethren were fain to
isit, the Lord should put it into the
carts of some that feared God to mscke
iadv a lodging for them, whilst that
RreUing-places were being built for them
I cities and castled villages. And the
ord gave them the word, and the spirit
I speak, according as opportunity offered,
ords exceeding sharp as swords, piercing
le hearts of young men and old, who,
aving father and mother and all their
)ssessions, followed after the brethren,
iking upon them the habit of their
^cligion. Verily then it was that the
rord which cleaveth asunder was sent
pon the earth, when the young came
ito the Religion, leaving their parents in
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94 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
and con- the slough of their sins. Yet were tb
vert very whom the brethren received into t
"*°y' Order brought unto the Blessed Franc
that they might humbly and devou
receive the habit of the Religion at 1
hands. Nor were men only thus cc
verted unto the Order, but many maidc
also, and widows, pricked to the heart
their preaching, did in accordance wi
their counsel betake them unto convei
ordained in sundry cities and cast]
villages, that they might do penance, a
for these one of the brethren was appoint
Visitor and Confessor. In like mann
also husbands with wives and wives wi
husbands, unable to free themselves fro
the bonds of matrimony, by the saluta
counsel of the brethren did in their o^
homes bind themselves unto strict
penitence. And thus by means of tl
Blessed Francis, that perfect worshipp
of the Holv Trinity, the Church of Q
is renewea in the three Orders, even
the foregoing restoration of the thr
Churches did typify. Of which Ordc
each in its own time was confirmed I
the Pope.
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CHAPTER XV
f the death of the lord Johriy their first
Protector y and how the lord Ugolino,
Bishop of Ostioy was taken as Father
and Protector of the Order.
6i. Now the venerable Father the
rd John of S. Paul, the Cardinal where-
r we have made mention, he that oft-
mes afforded unto the Blessed Francis
Dunsel and protection, was wont to
lommend the life and deeds of the holy
Ban and of his brethren unto all the
ther Cardinals. Whose hearts were
taoved to cherish the man of God and
lis brethren, insomuch as that each one
if them was fain to have in his own Curia
iome of those brethren, not by reason of
iny service they might render, but by
bson of the holiness of the brethren,
tod of the devotion that glowed in them-
lelvcs toward them. Therefore on the
leath of the lord John of S. Paul, the
-K)rd put it into the heart of one of the
'ardinals, by name Ugolino, at that time
Jishop of Ostia, to love as of inward love
95
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96 THE LEGEND OF
Their the Blessed Francis and his brethren, an
^^^^t^' to protect and cherish them. He of i
' truth behaved himself toward them wit!
a singular zeal of affection, as though h
had been the father of them all, naj
more than the love of a father after th^
flesh extendeth naturally unto his sons afte
the flesh, did his love after this spiritua
sort glow toward the man of God, tha
he might love and cherish him and hi
brethren in the Lord. Now the man a
God, hearing of his glorious fame, fa
that glorious was his repute among th(
other Cardinals, came unto him with hu
brethren. And he, receiving them witl
joy, saith unto them : ** I do offer myseli
unto you, ready to afford you help
counsel, and protection, according untc
your good pleasure, and I am fain that
ye should have me remembered in youi
prayers before the Lord." Then the
Blessed Francis, giving God thanks, said
imto that lord Cardinal : " Freely am
fein, my lord, to have you as the Father
and Protector of our Religion, and fain am
I too that all the brethren should have
you ever remembered in their prayers.'
Afterward the Blessed Francis besought
him that he would deign to be present at
the Whitsuntide Chapter of the brethren,
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S. FRANCIS 97
id he forthwith gave gracious consent,
Dd from thenceforward was present
rcry year at their Chapter. When he
kune unto the Chapter, all the brethren
Isembled for the Chapter did go forth
li procession to meet him. But he, as
he brethren came up, dismounted from
is horse, and went on foot with them
Into the Church of S. Mary, and after-
bard did preach unto them, and celebrate
I Mass, wherein the man of God, Francis,
lianted the Gospel.
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CHAPTER XVI
Of the election of the first Ministers^ and hi
they were sent forth into the fvorld.
Srethren 62. Now when eleven years from ti
ent forth founding of the Religion were fulfillc
and the brethren had increased
numbers and in merit, Ministers we
elected and sent forth with divers brethn
throughout all the provinces, as it wci
of the whole world, wherein the Catho]
faith is held and observed. They wc
received in certain provinces, but we
not permitted to build dwelling-placi
From other provinces, howbeit, th<
were expelled, in the fear that th^
might prove to be infidels, for t
albeit the said lord Innocent III,
sanctioned their Order and Rule, yet
he not confirmed it by his letters,
which reason the brethren endured m;
trials from clerics and laymen. Wh<
fore the brethren were compelled to
from divers provinces, and thus straitei
and afflicted, sometimes even robbed
beaten by thieves, they returned
98
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i
THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS iqi
prcat bitterness of spirit unto the Blessed into
r rancis. These things they suffered in ^^^j^-j^g
ill parts beyond the mountains, such as
in Germany, Hungary, and many other
lands. And when this was brought unto
tbe notice of the said lord Cardinal, he
called unto him the Blessed Francis,
and brought him unto the lord Pope
Bonorius, — the lord Innocent being dead,
Hmd he caused another Rule that had
been drawn up by the Blessed Francis to
be solemnly confirmed with a seal hang-
ing therefrom. In this Rule, the term
betwixt Chapter and Chapter was
lengthened, for the lessening the labour
of the brethren that dwelt in distant
parts.
63. Now the Blessed Francis purposed
to ask from the said lord Pope Honorius
that one of the Cardinals of the Roman
Church might be as it were the Father
of his Order, to wit, that same lord
Bishop of Ostia, unto whom the brethren
might resort for help with their afiairs.
The Blessed Francis had seen a vision,
that had availed to lead him to ask the
Cardinal, and to commend his Order unto
tte Roman Church. For he beheld as
!t were a little hen that was black and
lad feathered legs with feet like a tame
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THE LEGEND OF
Parable dove, and she had so many chicks that
little^hen* ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ *^'® ^^ gather them under
* her own wings, but they went about in a
circle round the hen, beyond her wings.
Then, waking from sleep, he began to
think upon this vision, and forthwith
perceived by the Holy Spirit that he
himself was intended under the parable
of the hen. And he saith : " I am that
hen, small of stature, and by nature
black, that ought to be simple as a dove,
and on winged affection of the virtues to
fly toward heaven. And unto me the
Lord of His mercy hath given and will
yet give many sons, whom I shall not be
able in mine own strength to protect.
Whence behoveth me to commend them
unto Holy Church, the which under the
shadow of her wings shall protect and
govern them."
64. Therefore when a few years had
passed after the said vision he came unto
Rome, and visited the lord Bishop ol
Ostia, who bade the Blessed Francis gc
with him on the following morning untc
the Curia, for that he was minded he
should preach before the lord Pope and
the Cardinals, and should devoutly an^
lovingly commend his Religion unto themJ
And albeit the Blessed Francis excused
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S. FRANCIS loi
iimself in this, saying he was but a S.
ample man and a foolish, yet needs must Frands
lie go with him unto the Curia. And ^^^Jl"
when the Blessed Francis had entered the Religion
presence of the lord Pope and of the
Cardinals, he was beheld by them with
great gladness, and, rising up, he did
preach unto them, as he had been inspired
beforehand by the unction of the Holy
Spirit alone. Then his preaching ended,
lie did commend his Rule unto the lord
Pope and the whole body of Cardinals.
And by his preaching the lord Pope and
the lords Cardinal werevery greatly edified,
and their hearts were moved yet more
tenderly to love the Religion.
65. Thereafter the Blessed Francis
said unto the Pope : ^^ My lord, I have
pity for you, by reason of the anxiety
ano perpetual toil wherewith you must
kieeds keep watch on behalf of the Church
of God, and sore ashamed am I that you
Ihould have such care and anxiety for us,
Brothers Minor. For while many nobles,
and rich, and very many Religious cannot
enter into your presence, great awe and
Ihamefastness ought there to be in us,
that be poorer and more despised than
the other Religious, not only in entering
four presence, but even in standing
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102 THE LEGEND OF
unto the before your threshold and daring to |
Po^ knock at the door of the Tabernacle of
Christendom. Wherefore I do humbly
and devoutly beseech Your Holiness that
you will deign to grant this lord Bishop
of Ostia to be our Father, that in time of
need the brethren may resort unto him,
saving alway the dignity of your pre-
eminence." And this request seemed
good unto the lord Pope, and he granted
unto the Blessed Francis the aforesaid
lord Bishop of Ostia, appointing him as
the most worshipful Protector of his
Religion.
66. He, receiving the command of the
lord Pope, like unto a good shepherd and
protector stretched forth his hand to
defend the brethren, writing unto many
Prelates that had persecuted the brethren
that they should oppose them no longer,
but should rather give unto them counsel
and help for preaching and for dwelling
in their provinces, as unto good men and
holy Religious approved by the authority
of the Apostolic See. In like manner
did many other Cardinals give them letters
unto their own provinces with the same
intent. Therefore at the Chapter next
following, licence being given by the
Blessed Francis unto the Ministers to
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S. FRANCIS 103
receive brethren into the Order, he sent formally
them forth into the provinces aforesaid, *P^^*'
bearing the letters of the Cardinals, Ugolino
together with the Rule, confirmed by the
Apostolic Seal. All which things when
the Prelates aforesaid saw, and recognised
the credentials shewn by the brethren,
thev did freely grant them leave to build,
to dwell, and to preach in those provinces.
Wherefore while the brethren did thus
abide and preach in those provinces,
many folk seeing their humble and holv
conversation, and hearing their words
that were right sweet, stirring and
kindling men's hearts unto the love
of God, and the work of repentance, did
come unto them, and take upon them
the habit of holy Religion with fervency
and humility.
67. And the Blessed Francis, seeing
the trust and affection that the said lord
Bishop of Ostia had for the brethren,
did himself love him in like manner from
the bottom of his heart. And for that
fcy Divine revelation he knew what was
to come, he did alway foretell in the
letters that he wrote unto him that he
should be Pope, calling him the Father
of the whole world; for after this
lumner he would write unto him :
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I04 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
Protector «' Unto the venerable Father in Christ
thereof, ^f ^j^e whole world,"— and so forth. In
sooth, after no long time, on the death
of the lord Pope Honorius III., that very
lord Bishop of Ostia was elected unto
the Papacy, under the name of Pope
Gregory IX., who unto the end of his
life was conspicuous as a chief benefactor
and protector both of the brethren and of
other Religious, and in especial of the
poor men of Christ ; whence it is
believed, not without reason, that he
himself is joined unto the company of
the Saints.
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CHAPTER XVII
^the most holy dying of the Blessed Francis^
and how two years earlier he had re^
ceived in his body the Stigmata of the
Lord Jesus.
68. Twenty years after the time where- S.
in he began most perfectly to cleave unto ^^jj^y,
Christ, following the life and footsteps of unto
the Apostles, that Apostolic man, Francis, Christ
in the year 1226 of Our Lord's Incarna-
tion, on the 4th day of October, a
Sunday, did depart in most happy wise
tmto Christ, after his many toils attain-
ing rest, and worthily entering the
presence of his Lord. Whose soul one
>f his disciples that was noted for his
bliness did see like unto a star of the
bigness of the moon, and beaming with
the brightness of the sun, borne above
many waters in a shining white cloudlet,
iscending forthright into heaven by a
straight path. For much had he
^boured in the vineyard of the Lord,
seaious and fervent in prayer, in fiisting,
n wigils, in preaching, and in journeying
I 105
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io6 THE LEGEND OF
His for the salvation of men, in care and pity
labours fg^ his neighbour, and in denial of him^
*° ^^* self, even from the beginning of his
conversion until his passing over untol
Christ, Whom he had loved with his
whole heart, keeping remembrance of
Him evermore in his mind, praising
Him aloud with his mouth, and magnify,
ing Him in the exceeding fervour of hk
works. For so fervently and in his very
heart did he love God that whensoever
he heard His Name, he was all melted
within, and burst forth into outward
utterance, saying : " Meet is it that
heaven and earth should bow down at
the Name of the I^ord."
69. And since he did bear in his heart
this fervour of love and continual
remembrance of Christ's Passion, the
Lord Himself being minded to manifest
the same unto all the world, did adorn
him in marvellous wise while yet living
in the flesh with the special privilege rf
a singular distinction. For whilst in
seraphic ardour of desire he was uplifted'
toward God, and was transfigured by thd
sweetness of partaking in His Passt<M|l
into the likeness of Him Who of Wti
exceeding love was willing to be cr
fied, — on a morning about the Feast
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S. FRANCIS 107
Kxaltation of Holy Cross,* while he
praying on the side of the mountain
at is called Alverna, about two years
rfbre his death, there appeared unto him
Seraph having six wings, and between
lyings bearing the Form of a most
lutifid Man crucified, Whose hands
feet were stretched out after the
ner of a Cross, most evidently setting
h the Image of the Lord Jesus. And
ith twain wings he veiled his head, and
|rith twain the rest of his body, and
l«rain were spread forth to fly. When
bis vision disappeared, a wondrous flame
if love abode in his heart, but on his flesh
ftt more wondrously appeared the mark
^ the Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, the which the man of God in so
&r as he might concealed unto his death,
lot being minded to make public the
acred mystery of the Lord, natheless, he
:ould not so entirely hide it but that it
^eqfe known at least unto his most
mate companions.
o. But after his most blessed de-
e, all the brethren that were
sent, and very many Seculars, did
old his body most evidently adorned
h the Stigmata of Christ. For they
♦ September 14th.
^
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io8 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
TheStig:- beheld in his hands and his feet, not on\j
mata. ^jjg holes wrought by the nails, but also
the very nails themselves, formed of bh
flesh, and of the same substance as the
flesh, presenting moreover the blackness
of iron ; while his right side was as
though pierced by a lance, seamed with
the ruddy scar of a most real and evident
wound, whence, while he lived, the
sacred blood did ofttimes flow. Of
which Stigmata the irrefragable truth
was not only in his lifetime and at his
death by sight and touch most openly
and clearly apparent, but furthermore
after his death, when the truth had been
manifested by many miracles in divers
parts of the world, the lord Pope caused
it to be yet more clearly vindicated. By
which miracles the hearts of many that
had not rightly conceived of the man of
God, and had doubted concerning his
Stigmata, were changed into such an
assurance of faith as that they who had
at first been his detractors, by the effi<
of God's goodness and the force of
truth itself, did become his praisers
most faithful preachers.
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CHAPTER XVIII
Of the canonisation of the most blessed
Father.
71. Now since in divers parts of theS.
rorld he was already famous in this new ^^J^^^.
ght of miracles, and from all sides unto ised.
te sacred body did flock the folk that
nd experienced the greatest and most
^ngular favours of the Lord through his
jaerits, the aforesaid lord Pope Gregory,
Pjr the advice of the Cardinals and of
^ny other Prelates, having read aloud
and confirmed the miracles that the Lord
liad wrought through him, did enter him
b the calendar of the Saints, decreeing
that his Feast should be solemnly observed
on the day of his death. Which things
were done in the city of Assisi in the
presence of many Prelates and of a great
assembly of Princes, and Barons, and of
countless persons from divers parts of the
world, whom the lord Pope had made be
convoked for that solemn occasion, in the
year of Our Lord 1228, the second year
of the pontificate of that Pope.
109
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no THE LEGEND OF
The 72. The lord Pope himself honours
^^bSt ^^^ ^'^ Saint, whom in his life he had s
in his tenderly loved, not alone by thus canai
honour, ising him in such marvellous sort,* bi
furthermore by building in his honour
Church, in the foundation whereof ti
lord Pope himself did lay the first ston*
and did enrich it with holy gifts an
precious ornaments. Whcreunto tw
years after his canonisation his most ho]
body was with honour translated froi
the place where at the first it had bee
buried. And unto this Church the Pop
sent a golden Cross adorned with preciou
stones, wherein was enclosed wood frofi
the Lord's own Cross, likewise ornameni
and many vessels pertaining unto th
service of the altar, with many cost!
vestments for use in solemn rites. More
over he freed it from all lesser jurisdiction
and did appoint it by the authority of tfa
Apostolic See to be the Head and Mothe
Church of the whole Order of Brother
Minor, as is set forth in the Privilege
published and sealed, whereunto tbi
Cardinals did in a body subscribe.
73. Moreover of a truth, for that ii
were a light thing that the holy man
God should be honoured of senseles
* /.r., so immediately after his death.
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I
S. FRANCIS III
lings, were it not that through himself, Many
lead in body, yet his spirit living in glorv, Jj-g 3^"
die Lord might convert very many folk *
md might heal them, — after his death not
>nly were many of the common people of
Either sex converted by his merits unto
the Lord, but furthermore many great
nen and others of noble birth, together
nrith their sons, took upon them the habit
af his Order, secluding their wives and
daughters in the Convents of the Poor
Ladies. In like manner many learned
men, and those most deeply versed in
letters, both Seculars and beneficed clergy,
ipurning the lusts of the flesh, and its
bdifFerence to religion, and casting utterly
aside all worldly desires, did enter the
Order of the aforesaid Brothers Minor, in
ill things according unto the measure of
the Divine grace conforming themselves
unto the poverty of Christ, and unto His
footsteps, and those of His servant the
most Blessed Francis. Whence of him
may not undeservedly be said that which
b written of Samson, to wit, that he
slew many more in his death than he had
slain before in his life, yet in such sort as
that the death they underwent at his
hands was but the beginning of the life
of glory that liveth for ever. Unto
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112 THE LEGEND OF S. FRANCIS
The life which gloiy, through the merits
of glory. Qm- ^q^^ i^^iy Father Francis, may h
bring us at the last, Who liveth ar
reigneth from everlasting imto everlas
ing. Amen.
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CHAPTER XIX
^ the granting of the Indulgence of 5.
Mary of the Little Portion.
74. When the Blessed Francis was
ing at S. Mary of the Little Portion,
was revealed unto him on a certain
light by the Lord that he should go unto
e lord Pope Honorius, who then was at
Perugia, to beseech an Indulgence for the
said Church of S. Mary of the Little
Portion, specially set apart by himself.
He accordingly, rising at early morn,
called for Brother Masseo of Marignano
as his companion, and going to the said
lord Pope Honorius, spake imto him :
" My lord and Holy Father, of late I have
repaired a Church unto the honour of the
glorious Virgin ; I beseech Your Holiness
to bestow thereupon an Indulgence to be
granted without any oblations." And he
answered and said : ** This may not con-
veniently be done, for he that seeketh an
Indulgence ought of right to stretch forth
a helping hand to deserve it. But shew
me for how many years thou dost desire
113 H
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114 THE LEGEND OF
for S. it, and how great an Indulgence I shal
the Little ^^^^^ thereupon." To whom mad
Portion, answer S. Francis : " Holy Father, mai
it please Your Holiness to give not years
but souls." And the lord Pope said
*' How meanest thou by souls ? " SaitI
the Blessed Francis: "Holy Father, j
would fain, so it please Your Holines^
that all they who shall come unto thaj
Church contrite and confessed, and dulj
absolved by the priest, shall be absolve^
from punishment and blame in heaven an^
in earth, from the day of their baptisnj
unto the day and hour of their entranc^
into the Church aforesaid." And th<
lord Pope made answer : " A great anc)
grave thing is this that thou seekestj
Francis, but never hath the Roman Cun>
been wont to grant any such Indulgence.'
And the Blessed Francis said : '* My lord,
that which I seek, I seek not on mine
own behalf, but on behalf of Him that
sent me, to wit. Our Lord Jesus Christ."
Then the lord Pope did straightway con-
fer the same, saying thrice: "It is our
pleasure that thou shouldst have it."
Then the lords Cardinal that were present
replied : " Take heed, lord, seeing that if
you grant this man such an Indulgence,
you do annul that granted unto them that
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S. FRANCIS 115
beyond seas." * The lord Pope made The Pope
iswer : " We have given and granted it g^^^^teth
onto him, nor can we nor ought we to
punul what we have done. But let us
restrict it so that it shall last for one
natural day only." Then calling Brother
Francis he said unto him : *^ Behold, from
)ienceforth we grant that any who shall
come and enter the said Church, truly
pontrite and confessed, shall be absolved
torn punishment and blame. And we will
Bat this shall be valid each year for ever,
ftt for one day only, to wit, from the
irst vespers, through the night, to vespers
rfthe day following." Then the Blessed
F'rancis, bowing his head, was going forth
lom the palace. And the lord Pope,
edng him go out, called unto him, say-
ng : <* O simpleton y after what sort art
jiou departing ? What proof dost thou
Surry away with thee as concerning this
ndulgence?" And the Blessed Francis
lade answer : '* Sufficeth me your word
lone. If the work be of God, it is for
limself to manifest His own work,
^ncerning this I desire no other docu-
lent, but let the Blessed Virgin Mary
lone be my charter. Amen."
* Le,^ the special Indulgence to the Cnitadert.
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EPILOGUE
The three principal authorities on th^
life of S. Francis of Assisi, which hav<
supplied his many subsequent biographerl
with most of their material, are thi
Mirror of Perfection^ the Little Flower^
and the Legend of the Three Companions
The two first of these have been publishec
in English of late years,* but the third
well-known as it is at second- hancj
through the extracts and quotations
given by Mrs. Oliphant and others, haj
hitherto been inaccessible to Englist
readers. The present translation wai
undertaken, finished, and accepted bj
the publisher, before either he or the
translator were aware that any othei
translation was contemplated. Its aim i<
to complete the Franciscan trilogy in the
* The Mirror of Perfection. (MS. recently discoverec
and edited by M. Paul Sabatier.) Translated by Dr
Sebastian Evans. Published by D. Nutty 1901.
The Little Flowers of S, Francis of Assist, Trans-
lated by T. W. Arnold. Published by Dent. Temph
Classics Scries.
116
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EPILOGUE 117
Dother-tongue by a literal and, it is
loped, accurate translation of the Latin
text as it stands in the latest edition of
e Legend^ published as a separate work,
\anctt Francisci Legendam Trium Sociorum
cod. Fulg.; edidit Michael Faloci-
ulignani. (Foligno, 1898.) Should M.
batier's researches happily bring to
ht a complete copy of the missing
iginal, or any hitherto unpublished
gments, the necessary corrections or
Iditions resulting from the discovery
ill be made in any future edition of the
anslation.
j The Foligno codex dates from
14 — , exact year unknown. The
iiumbering of the chapters, and their
headings, are taken from it, the para-
graphs added from the BoUandist Acta
Sanctorunty in which the Legend was first
printed. Two departures only have been
made from the text, i.e. (par. 42), reading
^^soUicite '* (with other versions) for ** notiy
and expanding the penultimate sentence
of chapter xviii., where some words
have apparently dropped out. There are
in all seventeen known codices of the
Legend; the first, believed to have been
complete, was originally in the Convent
of Assisi, but is now lost.
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p
ii8 EPILOGUE
Several French versions have Im
made, the most recent being that
Mme. Arvede Barine (Paris, 1901), a
there is an interesting parallel Latin a
Italian text.*
English readers who care for the Lh
Flowers and the Mirror may perhaps
glad of an opportunity of comparing the
with the Legend without having to co
suit the original. But the Legend itst
is something more than a contribution
the biography of the Saint. Whatcv<
may be its claims in this respect, tl
work has an enduring value of its own i
a feithful if inadequate record of th
influence exerted by a personality
unique in its combined saintliness an
charm, over the minds of the thre
brethren most intimately acquainted witi
his real character and motives.
The first place among biographies mus
assuredly be given to the mirror of Per
fection^ written in 1227, the year after S
Francis's death, by one of our Thrc(
Companions, Brother Leo, his most in*
timate friend. We have here a viviJ
* La Legrenda di San Francesco^ scritta Ja trt ud
Compt^nu Published at Rome, 1899, by the P
Marcellino da Civeua e Teofilo Domenicbellt,
Minori.
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EPILOGUE 119
ind fascinating portrait drawn from the
life, — ** We that were with him," he says
again and again, *^ beheld this." It is as
I the testimony of S. John to a greater
Master, — ** he that saw it bare record, and
Ihis record is true."
Next in point of time comes the first
\Li/e, by Thomas of Celano (author of
Dies Iraey Dies Illa)j written in 1228-29.
I This was compiled by the express order
I of Pope Gregory IX., and has somewhat
[of an official nature, being written to suit
I the party who tried to explain away the
I absolute strictness of the Rule in favour
of a modified observance. In spite of
the eloquence of a style to which Brother
Leo never aspires, the impression left is
vague and conventional, the friend writing
of the human traits of the master he had
intimately loved has given place to the
hagiographer writing "for edification."
Thomas of Celano acquired his know-
ledge only at second-hand, and, where he
diflfers from our Three Companions, we
prefer to trust them. For instance, in
speaking of Francis as a youth, he is
anxious to magnify his conversion bv
blackening his previous life, and so tells
us of '^the sins that were as the over-
seething of youthful heat," in direct con-
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120 EPILOGUE
tradiction to the statement of the Legem
(I. 3), of his refusal to take part in evil
speaJcing or doing, and to what we should
conclude from his character in latei
life.
Our Legend was written, as its authors
tell us in their Introduction, in the yeai
1246, and, as they also tell us, at the bid-
ding of one Crescentius, then Minister-
General of the Order. The same bidding
called forth, about a year later, a second
Life from Thomas of Celano, in which
he borrowed largely from the Mirror of
Perfection and the Three Companions^ re-
touching the style. It seems proteible,
as M. Sabatier points out, that the Legend
has come down to us in a fragmentary
condition, and that portions may have
been suppressed as inconveniently uncom-
promising for the party of the modified
observance.* He supports this view by
the following arguments : —
I. In a Legend composed by Leo,
Rufino, and Angelo, we naturally expect
to find in minute detail the events in the
life of Francis which these brethren wit-
nessed. Now, the Legend of the Three
Companions stops abruptly at the very
♦ yie de S. Franfois, pp. Izii.-lxvii. Speeubtm Per-
fictienity p. xx.
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EPILOGUE 121
moment at which these brethren became
most intimately connected with his
Ufe.
2. This is all the more surprising
because Thomas of Celano in his first
Lift passes quickly over the last years of
Francis ; the Three Companions in their
desire to supplement this £j/> would have
kid special stress on this period.
3. The letter to the Minister-General,
which the authors place at the beginning
of their Legend^ gives a summary, not of
what they intend to narrate, but of what
they have narrated, which does not at
all correspond to the Legend we have
to-day.
4. The authors tell us they have not
adhered to chronological order, whereas
in the Legend as it stands they do adhere
to it strictly.
5* Chapters xvii. and xviii. are not of
the same style as the rest, but merely a
resume from Celano*s first Life,
M. Sabatier concludes : * " The Three
Companions began by telling the story of
his (Francis's) youth, his life in the world,
his conversion, his apostolate, and there
18 no doubt but that these narratives were
followed by many others in which they
• Sptcidum Perfectionhf p. cxv.
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122 EPILOGUE
. . . shewed him as the founder of the
new life, the head of the Order in the
carrying out of its work ; but this section,
— comprising the last years of the life of
Francis, the years of greatest fruitfiilness
and of greatest anxiety,— has not come
down to us."
We certainly notice omissions in the
Legend; for instance, we should have
expected more local colour, — that men
writing from Greccio would have alluded
to scenes that happened there, such as the
Institution of the Christmas "Presepio"
by Francis, — and we miss all the stories
of his magnetic influence over the animal
world, so dear to us in the Little Flowers
and the Mirror; but, apart from any sup-
pressions, we must remember the Three
distinctly tell us theirs is no continuous
history, but a selection of incidents that
particularly attract them, and that have
not been specially noticed before. This
is insisted on by those who, like M.
Faloci-Pulignani, believe we have the
Legend in its entirety, and they cite as
sufficient answer to the promise to relate
miracles the several visions, instances of
prophetic power, description of the scene
on La Vernia, and miracles resulting
therefrom. Be this as it may, all readers
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EPILOGUE 123
will surely endorse M. Sabatier's appre-
ciation (saving only the claims of the
subsequently-discovered Mirror) ; " Dans
son etat actuel, cette L6gende des Trois
Compagnons est le plus beau monument
franciscain et I'une des productions les
plus d^licieuses du moyen age. II y a
dans ces pages je ne sais quoi de doux,
d'intime, de chaste, une seve de jeunesse
et de viriliti que les Fioretti rappelleront
sans y atteindre jamais. A plus de six
cents ans de distance, nous y sentons
revivre le reve le plus pur qui ait fait
tressaillir TEglise chretienne." *
The biography of Bonaventura, in
1263, was no less distinctly an official
production, the view of the man is
completely lost in that of the Saint and
thaumaturge. The well-known and
loved Fioretti give him back to us as he
lived, and still lives, in the hearts of the
Italian people; the stories were handed
down from mouth to mouth, and pro-
bably collected in writing in the early
part of the fourteenth centurv.
The late Speculum Vitae only deserves
mention, while others are omitted,
because it is so often confused with the
original Mirror {Speculum Perfectionis).
• Vf dt S, Franfoht p. Uvi.
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124 EPILOGUE
It is merely a bundle of legends carelessly
compiled from manuscripts in the
Franciscan Monastery at Avignon, and
its first edition was published in 1504.
The greater part of the Mirror of
Perfection^ among others, was embedded
in this, chronology was ignored, and a
desire for *' edification " prevailed.
Lovers of S. Francis need no reminder
of Dante's exquisite Xlth Canto of the
Paradisoy but it has a special interest for
readers of the Legend of the Three Com-
panionsj as it redly seems as though
Dante must have had the Legend in his
mind when writing. The very expres-
sion the Three Companions use of Brother
Bernard (x. 40) "he that first ... ran
to follow the holy man of God " (" qui
primo pacis . . . legationem amplectens
post sanctum Dei cucurrit") is repro-
duced in Dante —
'* So that the sainted Bernard first began
Barefoot to run in quest of peace so sweet,
Yet seemed to advance too slowly though
he ran/* *
— while the devotion of Francis to the
* * * . . . il venerabile Bernardo
Si scaled prima, e retro a tanta pace
Corse, e correndo gli parv* esser tardo.**
(Par. XI. 79 sqq* I. Wright's Translatioo.)
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EPILOGUE 125
Lady Poverty, and his interview with
the Pope, are dwelt on in the same
spirit in both accounts.
Who were these Three Companions ?
They all live before us in the Mirror
and the Link Flowers ; indeed, the latter
is nearly as eloquent concerning Leo, the
beloved "Brother little lamb of God " *
(frate pecorello di Dio), as concerning
his master. He it was to whom Francis
shewed " what things were perfect joy,"
he that received, in a time of temptation,
his Written Benediction, and that
watched with observant love all the
simple details of his daily life, and noted
his words. "With great purity," says
the Little Flowers^ **and with good
intention began he to keep watch upon
and to observe the life of S. Francis :
and for his purity's sake he merited to
see S. Francis ^11 many and many a
time rapt in Grod and uplifted from the
earth. . . . And what did this simple
brother do, when S. Francis was uplifted
from the earth but a little way, so that
he could reach him ? He went softly
*Thii tender ** diminutive of affection," it un-
translatable into ordinary English. The Middle-
English '* cade-lamb " has been suggested to me as an
equivalent — *^the Brother that was God's own cade-
lamb •• (Dr. Evans).
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126 EPILOGUE
to him, and embraced his feet, and kissed
them, and spake with tears : " My God,
have mercy on me a sinner, and through
the merits of this holy man grant me to
find Thy grace." Him Francis chose
out, ^' as above the rest the most simple
and most pure," to share the knowledge
of the " holy secret of the Lord," — the
Stigmata, — and in his last hours it was
Leo, together with Angelo, that com-
forted him by singing his "Song of
Brother Sun and of the other creatures of
the Lord," with its valiant and touching
welcome to " Sister Death, the death of
the body." Leo died probably in 1271,
but not before he had exercised a marked
influence on the later Observants. He
was a close friend of S. Clare's, who
undertook the charge of his manuscripts.
We owe him a great debt, for Leo, as
M. Sabatier points out, " preserved fi-om
oblivion the historic personality of his
spiritual father, and printed on the heart
of the Italian people a portrait of Francis
such as nothing has been able to efl&ce." ♦
The several characters of the three
Brethren have been drawn for us by
Francis himself, when he praises f "the
* Speculum Perfectionhy p. Ixxi.
t Mirror of Perfections^, Ixxxv. Dr. Evans* Translation.
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EPILOGUE 127
simplicity and purity of Brother Leo,
that in truth was of a most holy purity ;
the courtesy of Brother Angelo, that
was the first soldier to come into the
Order, and was fulfilled of all courtesy
and kindness ; • . . the godly and continual
activity of the holy Runnus, that did
always pray without intermission, so as
that even asleep or at work his mind
was always with the Lord/' The Little
Flowers tells us that Angelo '* was a man
of very gentle birth, and in the world had
been a knight," and that Rufino was
** one of the most noble gentles of Assisi,'*
and " a man of great sanctity." He and
Angelo, together with Masseo (mentioned
in the Introduction to our Legend)^ were
the three who accompanied Francis to
La Vernia. Rufino was of the same
noble family as S. Clare, — ^the Scifi ; he
seems to have been of a contemplative
nature, perhaps inclining to melancholy,
for we are told {Little Flowers^ xxix.)
how he " was on a time grievously assailed
and tempted in his soul in respect of pre-
destination, whereby he became altogether
melancholy and sad." When, by the
help of S. Francis, he had repulsed the
devil, he was left in ^'such gladness and
sweetness of spirit and uplifting of the
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128 EPILOGUE
mind that day and night he was absorbed
and rapt in God. ... He would have
continued day and night in prayer and
in contemplation of the things of God,
if the others had suffered him." The
chapter following goes on to tell how
S. Francis roused him from this contem-
plation to preach, sorely against his will,
in Assisi.
Other Brothers mentioned in the
Legend — Bernard, Giles, Silvester, and
the rest — are also charmingly portrayed
in the Little Flowers. John de Cappella
{Legendy ix. 35) alone has an unenvi-
able notoriety, as being the Judas of the
band, who finally hanged himself. {Little
Flowersy i.)
The keynote of our Legend seems
the oft-recurring simple statement of the
effect the changed life of Francis had on
all around. ** They marvelled, for they
knew that he had lived delicately in the
world." The contrast is indeed startling,
and the life lived before their eyes must
have been more startling still, in that age
of violence, self-seeking, and worldliness
in Church and State. The chivalrous
gaiety that made naught of toil and priva-
tions combined with his absolute genuine-
ness and simplicity to make a truly
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EPILOGUE 129
fascinating character, and deep below
these traits lay the wonderful self-con-
quest, as shewn in his dealings with the
lepers {Legend^ iv.), an intense con-
viction of the world's burden of sin, and
of his own, the tender-heartedness that
moved him, when a brother related " how
the Blessed Virgin at the hour of meal-
time was so poor that she had naught to
give her Son to eat," to "sigh with heavy
grief, and, leaving the table, to eat his
oread on the bare ground " {Legend^ v.
15), — that compassiva dulcedo^ as our
authors call it elsewhere, that enabled
him to enter into the sympathies of the
" creatures of the Lord," to shew such
unfailing tact in his dealings with other
men, and, above all, to ^^ bear in his heart
a fervour of love, and continual remem-
brance of Christ's Passion " {Legendy xvii.
69).
Small marvel that men were drawn
irresistibly to him, that the rich Bernard,
well-born Rufino and Clare, clerkly
Peter da Catana and Silvester, joined
with the humble Giles, and the hosts of
burgesses and peasants that followed him,
— small marvel that Umbrian cities and
villages rang their bells as he approached,
and treasured every remembrance of his
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passing! Was not "Brother Wolf"
beloved at Gubbio because " the towns-
folk . . . marking him pass so gently
through the city minded them the better
of the virtue and sanctity of S. Francis "
who had tamed him? {Little Flowers^
xxi.)
This beautiful and lovable nature was
reflected in the lives of those he attracted
round him, as we see in the description
of the first brethren {Legend^ x., xi,),
a description hardly to be equalled out-
side the early chapters of the Acts of the
Apostles. And it is peculiarly interesting
to see how the spirit of Francis, and pro-
found adherence to his ideals, prevailed
among brethren in such entirely new
surroundings, and so far removed from
his personal influence, as were those in
the province of England. How feith-
fuUy, in spite of severe climate and other
hindrances, the early Franciscans reflected
their master's life and teaching in this
country is seen in the pages of Thomas
de Eccleston's De Adventu Minorm
in Angliam (1224). We feel that we arc
not very far from Rivo Torto and the
" wooden cote " of our Legend^ when
we read of their poor little chapel at
Cambridge, constructed by one carpenter
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EPILOGUE 131
in one day.* It is also interesting to
English readers to learn of Henry III.'s
contribution to the building of the
Church of S. Francis at Assisi {cf.
Legendj xviii. 72). t
Many of the narratives of our Legend
are to be found substantially the same
in either the Mirror^ the Little FloxverSy
or the first Life by Thomas of Celano.
The imprisonment at Perugia, the first
risions, the scene with the leper, the
renunciation before the Bishop, the
conversion of Bernard, the threefold
opening of the Gospels on which the
Rule was based, the special devotion
to the Church of S. Mary of the Little
Portion, and the account of the Stig-
mata, are instances of this. The whole
narrative finds its best illustration in
Giotto's incomparable frescoes in the
Upper and Lower Churches at Assisi.
The relations of Francis and Pope
Innocent III. are of the deepest interest,
as bringing together two of the most
remarkable and influential personages of
the Middle Ages. The great rope,
* '< Sic aedificabant fratres capeilam ita pauperrimam
nt units carpentariut in nna die faceret."
t ** Concessit ministro generali de ordine Fratrum
Minonim XXX. marcas ad fabricam ecdesiae Sti.
Francisci Assisii."
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132 EPILOGUE
whether from a statesman-like percep-
tion of the valuable aid the popularity
and rapidly-increasing numbers of the
Franciscans would prove to the Church,
or from sincere sympathy with Francis's
aims, gave him prompt and distinct
encouragement. Indeed, he would have
found it hard to withstand the simple
Umbrian preacher, so gentle, humble,
and reverent, and yet so inflexible in
his purpose to ^Mive after the manner
of the Holy Gospel." This encourage-
ment was continued by his successor,
Honorius III. — the simple-minded
old man who, we are told by a con-
temporary, had given his goods to the
poor and spent his days in peace, — and
later by Ugolino, a near kinsman of
Innocent's, first as Cardinal, then as
Pope Gregory IX. He, as M. Sabatier
points out, changed the originally lay
character of Francis's institution into
ecclesiastical, and used the Third Order
for political ends, e.g,^ against the
Feudal System and the Emperors.
Francis no doubt truly loved and looked
up to the Cardinal as a private friend,
but in the matter of asking for his
formal Protectorate we cannot help
suspecting that his hand was somewhat
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EPILOGUE 133
forced, and that the authorities felt
Ugolino's direction would be a safe-
guard to a movement so democratic, —
albeit, while preaching liberty to the poor,
its founder inculcated reverence towards
prelates and nobles {Legend^ xiv. 57-59.)
It is well to lay stress on the fact,
though the Legend makes but brief
illusion to it (xi. 41), that Francis
was determined his brethren should
work with their hands as well as prav.
We know but too well how grievously
they fell away from this wholesome rule,
but his own purpose is clear enough,
both from his treatment of the " Brother
that did neither pray nor work, but did
eat well " {MirroTy xxiv.), and the state-
ment in his will : ^^ Ego manibus meis
laborabam . . • > et omnes alii fratres
firmiter volo quod laborent." ♦
The Legendy like the Mirror^ brings
out one curious feature — the love of
Francis for speaking the French
tongue, ^^ albeit he spake it not aright."
{Legendy iii. 9, and passim.) It was the
language of the cloth-merchants of Troyes,
with whom he had to deal in business, but
it was also that of the chivalry and
romance in which he delighted, calling
♦ ** Teitamentum " in Speculum Perfectimii^ P« 3»»«
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134 EPILOGUE
his brethren '' my knights of the Table
Round," and the '^jongleurs dubonDieu."
Asto thestyle of the Three Companions,
it must be confessed that between them
they do not much improve on Brother
Leo's unaided efforts in what Dr. Evans has
described as " dead, provincial, mediaeval
Latin." They are bald and prosy, con-
tent to use the same words and ex-
pressions over and over again, and to
connect their sentences very loosely.
One sighs sometimes for the vivid and
charming Tuscan of the Little Flowers.
Chaps, xvii. and xviii., as already pointed
out, differ from the rest, and shew
an attempt at literary conceits and
antithesis. The Chapter " Of the grant-
ing of the Indulgence of S. Mary of the
Little Portion " has a special interest
attaching to it. For some time critics
hesitated to believe in the granting of so
unusual and unconditional an Indulgence,
but now the testimony of the Franciscan
legends is supported by the recently-
discovered letter of Jacques de Vitry,
and M. Sdbatier has given in his com-
plete adherence, and published a recanta-
tion of his former incredulity.* In his
* Revue Chretienne (August 1896, Paris), " Nouveaa
Chapitre de la Vie dc S. Franyois.*'
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EPILOGUE 135
edition of Barthoii's Tractatus de Indulgentia
S. M. de Portiuncula (1900) he cites the
Legend 2S the earliest explicit testimony
on the subject (p. xxvii.). Jacques de
Vitry {d. 1244) was in Perugia at the
time of Innocent's death there (121 6),
and of the visit paid by Francis to
Honorius; his letter on the subject is
given bv M. Sabatier in the Speculum ♦
(pp. 296, sqq,). As Bishop of Acre, he
was present at the siege and taking of
Damietta in 12 19, and gives us a graphic
description of Francis's arrival in the
Crusading camp there, and of the affec-
tion in which he was held by all.
As regards the eagerness of Francis for
this Indulgence, with which some may
find it difficult to sympathise, it must
be remembered that the mercenary and
sacrilegious traffic that aroused Luther's
indignation was unknown in the early
thirteenth century, when an Indulgence
was devoutly believed to be the outward
token of God's forgiveness, and a con-
firmation of weak feith, like the official
attestation of his cure that Christ Him-
self allowed the leper to receive from the
priest. Francis insisted on true contri-
* First pnblithed in the Nouveaux MAiioint de
PAcad/mU de BruxelUi,
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136 EPILOGUE
tion and confession as a condition fo^
those seeking the Indulgence of thd
Portiuncula, which he thus hoped woul4
become the means of winning many
souls.
It is with the sincerest gratitude that
I record my thanks to Dr. Sebastian
Evans, who, amid all his own literary
work, has most kindly made time to
revise my translation, and to help me
with many invaluable suggestions.
E. G. S.
THE END
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